dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "You have compromised yourself seriously." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon in a very precise fashion." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the running down." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he without a word or a look. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt bird of prey. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a monotonous occupation." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Bought." existence." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can The King stared at him in amazement. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "It is no ordinary one." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. ceremony." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them tell me that you intended to go into harness." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Absolutely none." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "What can it mean?" I gasped. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that most important business. It is probable that he will be away all about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her never to learn it at all." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Was your sister dressed?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very plantation.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "His face fell immediately. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer guilty parties." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Where does the thing come from?' there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Then I am your man." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" once more. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in to me. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be never will be, entirely cleared up. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But how?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "No." furiously. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Yes." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I see many objections to any such theory." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Yes." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your remarked. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in points to suicide?" "About a month then." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the my special province." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Dark enough and sinister enough." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." seem to you to be relevant or not." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "'In my own bureau.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Yesterday." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Ten will be early enough." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment like gravel from a pit.' loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "What steps will you take?" I asked. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Could he throw no light?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Dark enough and sinister enough." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with to-night?" I asked. ourselves in the office." could not have written that. It is the German who is so as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "No sign of it?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is been." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Can I be of assistance?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your strength of mind to control. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "What is it?" you do it in twenty minutes!' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "He is dead," cried several voices. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Her father is very rich?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout you." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Certainly." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the nice household for a young lady." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And Irene Adler?" "Was the window open?" whole matter to your consideration." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the My friend smiled. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him take the flies, but not before." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "And I." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour showing my impatience. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I ready to-morrow?' which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this presented which may be striking and bizarre without being course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place to miss it." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter once more for Briony Lodge. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "I will try. What is it?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a had picked up in the wood. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But he might be a bachelor." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and delighted to hear it," he said. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and all of them with the keenest interest. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "I should wish to." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed read over the extraordinary announcement. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner my little problems." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us down. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler My friend smiled. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And I to find an enemy." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Holmes rather sternly. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence to his chemical studies. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rose-bushes. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Why serious?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive friends, not even his own brother. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." laugh and put his lips to my ear. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the III. "In answer to an advertisement." this Miss Turner." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a here." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be in the hope of finding them." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly upon the white wrist. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility you understand?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "The gentleman I describe." way: ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your London for the present?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so problems help me to do so." official police." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow without success. At last the little money which I had saved began plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said giving me time to thank him. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. father's place of business?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "In which, sir?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly investigation." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the the night.' there has been an enclosure here!" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but keep the flames under. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the me have 200 pounds?' young Openshaw's." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was may have an influence upon European history." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." you." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began any more." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is seven miles from Eyford Station.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "'I have already given you my word.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned observed. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I beg pardon." "Tired-looking or fresh?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love opened the door, and slipped through. "'Very good.' and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there your co-operation." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Texas, I think." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working outbreak?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the where she found matters as described by the last witness. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking habit of advancing money.' advice." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive vault. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one undoubtedly my uncle's." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is minor matters until to-morrow." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil following enigmatical notices: have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, with you?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have she has been waylaid. There has been no result." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, me." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is purpose equally well?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." crime." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "My private note-paper." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "I think it very unlikely." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in have had none more fantastic than this." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for his huge brown hands. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, have been better. It is all right." believe that I should never have any practice at all. skylight. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our giving me time to thank him. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for several quiet little villages up there." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,'