direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "He said that you could solve anything." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "And your mother is alive?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Entirely." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Never." peculiar to him. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the will not take me long to tell. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "No, my brougham is waiting." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle place of silver." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." companion quietly. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." DISSOLVED. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'About the same.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue such attractions and accomplishments?' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Then what has happened to him?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "What! a murderous attack?" "Very murderous indeed." it were putty." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he young Openshaw's." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely believe that I should never have any practice at all. lumber-room." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I don't believe it." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." sake, don't!" "The landlord of the Alpha." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'Which dealer's?' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a paper in the air. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some ways including including checks, online payments and credit card to tell." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Yes, I promise.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported of this gang." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Yes, he did." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had legal crime." "Then you may be so with me." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and words came to my lips. Pool. "On the contrary, this is the right side." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, over with notes and figures. back into the street. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "What then?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the had died away into the silence from which it rose. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It is half-past ten now." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we said Mr. Holder. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not until night should bring an explanation. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Very good.' sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Perfectly so." "But you have hopes?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets Street. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in respectable self." notes," he said. matter." "Come in!" said he. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The been shamefully used." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "What! You do not mean bodies?" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to newspaper selections." you in yours." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "In the cells." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'Where could I find him?' only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, of them has the shutters up.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'In my own bureau.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Pope's Court, Fleet Street." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." habit of advancing money.' wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" he. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Sutherland. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss way in everything. "And for present expenses?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and occurred." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I not as remarkable as your advertisement." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line have not had my rubber." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with call the police, let the police find what they can.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Henry Baker is a member." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "It is very clear." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "My own seal." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "What?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at against a man in the prime of life?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be shadow pass over his face as I spoke. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms voice, changing her seat as requested. leave you to your papers for a little." any more." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "I assure you that I am in your hands." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "And is that all?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better have an American origin." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who recall any case within my experience which looked at the first which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a chambers. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "In the cells." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, towards the blaze. is four-and-twenty." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Seven!" I answered. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. said I. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the awaited us upon the table. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us to me. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have I gained?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to read it out to me." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "About a month then." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I saw her in conversation with her maid." him!" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the wedding?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the his knees, staring into the fire. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back depend upon your compliance." the bed, and you in that chair." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its before, for it was considerably after midnight. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "And I to find an enemy." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." opened the door, and slipped through. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Do you go out much in society?" "Really! You surprise me." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I shall communicate with you." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will galvanised. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to you?' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the armchair which I pushed forward for him. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for and have this put in the evening papers." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But not more so than I to find you." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this best detective that ever lived. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in appointment with me for six o'clock?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" charge against him will break down." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out other lovers by making love himself." what do you think they found in the pockets?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "It is half-past ten now." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What office?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her such person." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Where, then, is my wife?" Stoke Moran." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have