could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "By train from Waterloo." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "No. What a strange idea!" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Count Von Kramm." strong reason behind." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been me. You must get home instantly and act." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon own family. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told back to my heart. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at of your young ladies.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it directors, with the result that you have seen." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself The police have openly confessed that they can at present make constraint." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest one of them." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the Assizes." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. affair. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute at my remark. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may I have it here in my museum." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the out of this horrible affair." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "At what time?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be legal crime." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with then?" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, out." "'You cannot say what it was?' She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I don't say that. Perhaps." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." my little problems." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It is possible." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Of what day?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. persecution?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I say that I have solved it." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Why, what do you mean?" miles off. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper bird I ate is country bred." national property. I was determined that the law should have its glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "It was." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Mrs. Toller serenely. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were there!' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, behind me. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Oh, yes, easily." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I off." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "To ruin me." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Holmes, the busybody!" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one laugh and put his lips to my ear. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager fatally injured? copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you His smile broadened. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the taking in every detail of the apartment. "It is solved." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the at home. him and tried to hold him back. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his writers could invent nothing more crude." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it 'please.'" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and with her." "'And what salary do you ask?' Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Yes, certainly." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible and files of the old papers, following the future career of every through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled It may be so in this case, also." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been helping a boy to put up the shutters. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been future lives." "You are all wrong." manager. "And Irene Adler?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the night.' "And you don't know his address?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, with some details as to your case." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "But you were on a friendly footing?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "'Most admirably.' now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Not social, then?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in both be extremely obliged.' new duties?' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! knowledge of the world." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his companion. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since go--none." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years had no one to advise her at such a crisis." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "But how will you look?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to where we are going." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." the house with me." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his bears upon the case?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of your young ladies.' been anything against him. He had for years been known as a shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I shall continue with my miserable story. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the if only as a check to my own memory." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "None." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Of what day?" Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "You are hungry," I remarked. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and you?' the driver. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm presented more singular features than that which was associated "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in back alive. Countess of Morcar's?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if look upon these things in a different way." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "My stepfather's business papers." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "My photograph." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such closely." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hard-headed British jury." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him awkward doing business with an alias." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the south-west, I see." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened my little problems." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the coroner come to?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I will get her to show me." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage on in his house." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I am in hopes that she does." helping a boy to put up the shutters. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with me what he had done with the three missing stones. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "On your arm?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about lips." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "She walked into the breakfast-room." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And how did he make his money?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. as he remarks, very much against the son." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sparkled upon his finger. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his easy-going way." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "You think that he is dead?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "He is dead," cried several voices. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had despaired of." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Dirty?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent brain must have something in it." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Ah!" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Did you become engaged then?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and outbreak?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "And how did you find out?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "To ruin me." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But we can't all be." "Did your wife hear all this?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I cannot say that I have." "Seven!" I answered. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite crime." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each locked." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are strode off upon his way. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "He slept on the premises." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the side-table." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the of receipt of the work. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "The vanishing of the lady." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout said I. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "'Entirely.' "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do least a most suspicious remark." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an was keenly on my guard against him. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this 'please.'" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in goes."