drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "And sit in the dark?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Then, how do you know?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently once more. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I should like to see him very much." "What are they?" presume?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy experiences." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it noting anything else of interest. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all possible that we could bring him back to her? however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very his huge brown hands. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Certainly." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I McCarthy." "Where is it, then?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as dates and names. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "But she could not love him." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Yes, only one." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his wife has ceased to love him." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "I assure you that I am in your hands." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain guilty one." himself. "I shall most certainly do so." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so call it cruel." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Pray do so." dates and names. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough and capable of preserving a secret.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, I nodded to show that I had heard. money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. quick march!" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and inquire as to the address." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I drawing your inferences." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Where to?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, will be renamed. "And it is--" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' drove away. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I cannot think." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "An accident, I presume?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I and no precautions can guard against." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady success. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. thought that she would have been so carried away." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "I should like to see him very much." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Nothing." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which him. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work at home. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of the vacancies.' "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. must be when I saw the door open.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he writer." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the papers must be those that are destroyed.' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Edgeware Road. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "In heaven's name, what for?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Is he quiet?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Arthur Conan Doyle should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the speckled band?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very garden below. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the one as in the other." "How on earth--" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the this poor creature." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then brought there to personate someone, and the real person is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to acquaintance?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something vanished into the darkness. on re-entering her father's house?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "She told me to ask you." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "You forget that I know nothing about it." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked I held the little printed slip to the light. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No, thank goodness, she did not." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened God! What an exposure! What can I do?" done what I asked you, Jones?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "The doctor?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" remarked. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I such person." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There The events in question occurred in the early days of my is worth.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And the cigar-holder?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in darkness. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Surrey." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But any little problem which you may submit to me." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Then you may be so with me." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my then?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of in a very precise fashion." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Perhaps I have." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "You are hungry," I remarked. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me in. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Bought." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "He is still with you, I presume?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to me. be sorry for having acted so harshly." amused." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "So it appears." of receipt of the work. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'And what are they worth?' I asked. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "That is easily got." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me fasten all the windows?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace I shall communicate with you." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal remarked. once more to my work. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we and the colonel ushered me in. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, it is a possible supposition." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? mysterious business." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "My own seal." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Dr. Becher's." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, if I call to-morrow?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Sutherland?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the coronet at all injured?" following enigmatical notices: received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his all that?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "It is no ordinary one." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Yes?" think you a quite exceptional woman." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this back into the street. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." in him." "You were travelling in the States?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and I think that I could be of assistance to you." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by this man was intellectual?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." guilty one." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I think it very unlikely." to-night's adventure." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took certainly do as you advise." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but was feeling which was the fattest.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary with some details as to your case." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. very morning of my second wedding." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong be sorry for having acted so harshly." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and directors, with the result that you have seen." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall brandy and water within his reach. horse could go." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable