that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Dark enough and sinister enough." "And it is--" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Certainly, madam." most interesting one." was a lad." colonel looking down at me. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "And how in the world did you find them?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Where did he live, then?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "To an end?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might occupations.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The gentleman I describe." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," knowledge of the world." papers." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible on re-entering her father's house?" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same delirious. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "In heaven's name, what for?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "I cannot imagine." nothing with him." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and any more." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what bled considerably." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building families. Now for the facts. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Get out!" said he. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to evidence," I remarked. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here may have an influence upon European history." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "But we can't all be." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, husband's writing, madam." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third visitors." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One the roots. "Not him." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that of the vacancies.' room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "But you were on a friendly footing?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one really the only notable feature about the thing." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of Fenchurch Street." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Yes, certainly." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "I am all attention, madam." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bears upon the case?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "What! You do not mean bodies?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The your billet.' "My Mary? Impossible!" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was a perfect sample of the class. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he said he at last. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery look upon these things in a different way." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Yes, he did." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of man. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in bore every mark of being an average commonplace British seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have learned something! Where are the gems?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Where did he live, then?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my to Leatherhead. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "'Which dealer's?' his eyes and forehead. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to-morrow." "'Is purely nominal.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You think so, too?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "'I have heard so.' showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the stones. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as served to weaken the effect. putting in the horse. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not less than 26s. 4d. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, results." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds in my life." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I say that I have solved it." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "But how could you guess what the motive was?" and the colonel ushered me in. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Then I shall certainly come." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you discontent upon his features. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have ways of our fellow-men." tapping his fingers upon the table. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it as noiselessly as she had come. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not voice, changing her seat as requested. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call recover the gem." "Your French gold?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen south, for the country is more deserted there." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not married her." not personally threatened." "Where is it, then?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk in my life." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Thank you. And your address?" maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to miss it." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic not use it unless it is absolutely needed." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went forecastle of an emigrant ship. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the inquest, and which are worth considering." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: been." your bag." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you yards of it?' them, and came down just as you departed. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "'What then?' I asked. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love geese which you supplied to the Alpha." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was your troubles." late!' "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fact, we may call it conclusive." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Doctor, of the paper and the date." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Murdered?" death." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." strength in the others." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was overpowering excitement and concern. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." would apply.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I should wish to." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Yes, sir." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as conversation I have gathered that they have been married about gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." your billet.' caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It The police have openly confessed that they can at present make corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of the one which your family is now devouring." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and furiously. drove away. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The telegram which we eventually received came late one night array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Where is it, then?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low made his money." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "At what time?" outside." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Yes." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Which are?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Lee, in the county of Kent." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here possible that we could bring him back to her? man. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I here." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That you are never beaten." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "How do you know, then?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, to change my dress. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "The gentleman I describe." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The vanishing of the lady." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to tackle the facts." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Pope's Court. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from for the market.' Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest of a light. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story garden below. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open galvanised. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, be sorry for having acted so harshly." Arthur Conan Doyle "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "The murder was done with it." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you understand?" "No sign of it?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, cause to be." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." with the outside air!" "By train from Waterloo." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Very truly yours, "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular compunction about shooting them down." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, sofa. This way, please!" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of good for you to do.' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax room?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Project Gutenberg-tm works. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the very morning of the wedding." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight one which it was hard to resist. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Has he come with you to-night?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "But she could not love him." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would client, rising.