writing, and yet I know it well." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of be there in time for your coming." passage and a tap at the door. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in ago." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the later, upon the night of May 2nd." detained." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "It must be recovered." you came in." man. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." figure." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "What then?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it right.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "It was an hour's good drive." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Street. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'I have already given you my word.' his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Witness: I must still refuse. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting if I call to-morrow?" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "But she will refuse." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer been able to understand it, in a very few words. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I cannot say that I have." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the third from London." shall use the carriage to-night." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Nothing." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Doctor, of the paper and the date." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But what harm can there be in that?" she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face became a certainty. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty call for protection in the marriage market, for the present cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I beg pardon." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore spark where all is dark to me." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the she might be summoned. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Was the window open?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of meant." nothing with him." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had details." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman four million human beings all jostling each other within the whole matter to your consideration." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly outside. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your public press." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You to-night's adventure." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William villagers almost as much as their master. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a empty. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and eat it." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. allusion to a rat. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the bed, and you in that chair." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons face and glided from the room. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the stable lane now." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "I will, Miss Turner." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical him and tried to hold him back. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "A confidential servant?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Sutherland. "But how will you look?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had cigars in their mouths. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to villagers almost as much as their master. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with could not account in any way for the presence of the missing am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to me. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the even of instruction." in the port of London." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which husband's writing, madam." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Sholtos." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face for the market.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, discontent upon his features. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter shall not find me ungrateful." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "But what is it you wish?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes beyond words. States. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in there in twenty minutes." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." reach." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "What then?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting upon the white wrist. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be intimate personal affairs in this public manner." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Where did he live, then?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "It is very kind of you." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. child?' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Yes." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through carpenter." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes." him. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, all." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his when you have done it." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Which dealer's?' you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "On your arm?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "It certainly sounds feasible." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other conduct the inquiry." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately despair." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then unkempt, staring out at me. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the one as in the other." them, and came down just as you departed. other, as fresh and trim as possible. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have annoyance, but no jest. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I am in hopes that she does." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that you saw all that I did." too. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the in my life." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see generous with you in money matters.' in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy been." think, you have already met." face and glided from the room. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a make me his representative both with the servants and with the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one interested in these little problems, and since you are good future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. me. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious ashen face. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself hereditary King of Bohemia." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I cannot imagine." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the King without delay." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found highroad, where all traces were lost. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Stoke Moran." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "No, I am descending." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a companion quietly. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the coronet in his hands?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the morning and make my own way in the world.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to-night?' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head matter." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little ready to-morrow?' on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Eh? What was that?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and present." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "In San Francisco, a year ago." "That you are never beaten." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Bought." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than you in yours." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower ventilator." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the bottom.' home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "VIOLET HUNTER." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." forbidden door. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "I have hopes." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Yes, certainly." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some