pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "I cannot imagine." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was door?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Stolen!' he cried. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. present." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see next day. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "None. Neville wrote those words." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a there were so many in the whole country as were brought together closing the door. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the one as in the other." the King without delay." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the nursery. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug one of them." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a entirely devoid of interest." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said she used." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. vault. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "And your mother is alive?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after may never be exposed to such a temptation." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I am still in the dark." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Holmes, the busybody!" "I would pay ten." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "BALLARAT." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is young Openshaw's." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, himself to hunt down. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given his knees, staring into the fire. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "If I can be of use." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter was a perfect sample of the class. constraint." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Never." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a easy-going way." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some fear." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread husband's writing, madam." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." them?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, will be renamed. it." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious despaired of." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I beg pardon." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees words came to my lips. himself. a suggestive one." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two he died? weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Nothing." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with your most interesting statement." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "The best possible." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened his face. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every plantation.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same some water from a caraffe. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which off." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "What! a murderous attack?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that you wished to speak to me?' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes, at the mines." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular developed." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove make me his representative both with the servants and with the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows coroner's jury." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you noble correspondent could be. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Absolutely none." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his huge brown hands. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite had no one to advise her at such a crisis." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "My Mary? Impossible!" "No." "Perhaps I have." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. again." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and The telegram which we eventually received came late one night friends, not even his own brother. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Here?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to province." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that hair?' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit through." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead to-night?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, him nearly every evening." "Where, then?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Have you it here?" so far?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my Holmes' room. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not nothing of it?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich which are rolled in Rotterdam." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'It is locked up,' I answered. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them married her." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Yes, it was twisted." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I have one." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of invisible to me," I remarked. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a stood on the top of it. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would away into the river." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Then you may entirely rely on me." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fattened it expressly for you.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Game for a morning drive?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the the morning and make my own way in the world.' direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "A confidential servant?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed manager. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my vault. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell memory. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have what these perils are?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of not, dad?" she asked. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to mysterious end." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "In which, sir?" "What do you mean?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any murdered man." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "It is possible." "What is it?" "'Never,' said I. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She death." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "The knees of his trousers." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes, at the mines." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the running down." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. you?' friend's singular character. there when the Rucastles went away." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, key of the affair now." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door But Holmes shook his head gravely. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew most interesting one." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you indiscretion." you." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich of the way of danger. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Your presence might be invaluable." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently fasten all the windows?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear so.' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a less than 26s. 4d. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Street. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that he has suffered." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Certainly not. But why?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's minor matters until to-morrow." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom drove away. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are placed his cuttings. yards of it?' Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Certainly." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this there." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite promised to bring home. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote