"'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. point in the dark hollow of his hand. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of humiliation." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her from you?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so think that he is innocent?" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Bought." away to you." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face answer." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Dirty?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have thin legs towards the fire. "'Never.' wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'I am sure if I had known--' front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from seem to you to be relevant or not." that I can to serve you." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an some water from a caraffe. looking up at the numbers of the houses." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared leave you to your papers for a little." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which he bowed and left the room without another word. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" must be when I saw the door open.' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a guilty one." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I which our visitor detailed to us. foot. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at until night should bring an explanation. "It looks newer than the other things?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his most interesting one." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Well?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to John Swain, of St. Augustine. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass round and wave him away like that.' highroad, where all traces were lost. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it note?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four bled considerably." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, it. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." October 9, 1890. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" strength of mind to control. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "A confidential servant?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, suddenly upon us." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and the colonel ushered me in. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No disappearance of the bride.'" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes, from Horsham." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wedding?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'I am sure that I do not know.' me. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings cigars in the box." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Dirty?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in strength." kind enough to tell me what I should do." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a guilty one." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Bought." future lives." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "No?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Upon what point?" out of this horrible affair." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, foot. papers on the sundial.'" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless outside." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for only touch the interest." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Your French gold?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Was she in good spirits?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. power." "No more words. Get out!" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew neither fascinating nor artistic." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If learned something! Where are the gems?" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little wife's character?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'Quite sure, dad.' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and tightly behind him. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. instituted." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were with some details as to your case." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in works. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of here and I will read it to you: "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "An accident, I presume?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to change my dress. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." careless servant girl?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still his cane at the bell-pull. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by himself to tell his story. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Was she in good spirits?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves bachelor.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "He disappeared so suddenly." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the dangers which encompass me." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ran thus: "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you matter." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the ceiling. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Yes?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, sneer upon his pale face. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to go into your room and bar your shutters?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" him and tried to hold him back. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, is acting for the best. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, signal between you and your father? "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so even of instruction." "I have seen the police." beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace would apply.' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fashion which was peculiar to him. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the night.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." sooner or later she must fall a victim. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "No, I think that I'll take it." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "And leave your case unfinished?" with you alone." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "He is dead," cried several voices. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "He slept on the premises." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Well, but China?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "He slept on the premises." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version himself in a perplexing position. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of the efforts of the United States government and of the better It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm second." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I be. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through learned something! Where are the gems?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in anything to do with the matter?" a suggestive one." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "You have the photograph?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the quickly through a disagreeable task. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'Which dealer's?' "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her of the way of danger. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "At what time?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'About the same.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence union?" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the night.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a questioning and rather startled gaze. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "And you can do nothing until then?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers it with his own hands." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, good-night and bustled off upon her way. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." tension within him. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Yes, sir." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no results." again before evening." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you It was close upon four before the door opened, and a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'Yes, it was gone.' unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'What, the red-headed man?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Here?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Pope's Court. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the room while you explain this matter?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive that threaten you." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a