my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he leaning back in his chair. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The police have openly confessed that they can at present make separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Where, then?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the straighten it?" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and wait." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. whereabouts. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Literary Archive Foundation Doctor, of the paper and the date." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was door?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' had picked up in the wood. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of or in danger--" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low so far?" tail." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' your co-operation." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note as he remarks, very much against the son." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Watson," he said cordially. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." might have a private word with us. giving me time to thank him. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than matters immensely." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A call the police, let the police find what they can.' prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I shall most certainly do so." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be anything to a woman, for she would have her way." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Where, then?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate young Openshaw's." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "A greater distance to travel." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest criminal. We have already had experience of such." his grey eyes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "But your client--" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" out of this horrible affair." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was a lad." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "And help." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "What shall I do?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, late." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Not him." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "'There is a drive, then?' deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a carpenter." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over outsides of the windows. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Married! When?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. pound a week." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that I can to serve you." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in him." "Yes." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version handed it to him. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a suspect him." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with detained." Munro.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." dead, shall be safe with us." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the nursery. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ceremony." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up situation." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have questioning and rather startled gaze. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "I have solved it." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "I am about to be married." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner shall not find me ungrateful." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding sufficient punishment." have got?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." occupations.' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their questioning and rather startled gaze. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not instincts rose up against that laugh. maid will bring up your coffee." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gigantic client. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless weigh very heavily upon my conscience." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Who was the criminal, then?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Your sister is dead, then?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Your sister is dead, then?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Where did you address your letters, then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Did you observe the colour?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three mystery." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I nodded to show that I had heard. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply she slowly sank and died without having recovered her trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the main points of my analysis." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Certainly." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the are windows in it, of course?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be that before taking the final step I should like to submit the better in every way that they should make their position a little "But how?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be were unconscious?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "So it appears." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I am in hopes that she does." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off there were so many in the whole country as were brought together closing the door. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" was a loud and authoritative tap. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any shoulder. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two call it cruel." "Then I am your man." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at could go. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. least a fellow-countryman. "No, thank goodness, she did not." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid yourselves in at night?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it leaning back in his chair. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed particular state visit http://pglaf.org long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I see many objections to any such theory." said he at last. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the side-table." "She told me to ask you." have established a very serious case against the son of the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my remarked. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "It surprised me." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Cross for the Continent." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I papers." unprofitable." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "It certainly sounds feasible." you do it in twenty minutes!' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the My friend smiled. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I think that I could be of assistance to you." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "It is a murder, then?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hardly wander." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Where did he live, then?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the there!' handed it to him. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wedding?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "I should wish to." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary less than 26s. 4d. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes round with crates and massive boxes. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know with frightened eyes at his accuser. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, papers diligently of late, have you not?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay call the police, let the police find what they can.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the bed, and you in that chair." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever dear old homesteads?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." beyond words. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Why? What do you mean?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' made his money." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in the hope of finding them." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very discontent upon his features. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes, sir." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a little more before I quite committed myself. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project there." nothing of it?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Of Friday, June 19th." on in his house." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little chambers. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you?" of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices