there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to to his chemical studies. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "When did it break out?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you them, and came down just as you departed. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Well, but China?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "If I can be of use." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the your only hope of safety." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and back into the street. "And did you observe any change in her then?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I there." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Dirty?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him with frightened eyes at his accuser. that you wished to speak to me?' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," manager. to tackle the facts." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw Sutherland?" with some details as to your case." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his fuss that is made over them." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I will do it." beyond words. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "'And the work?' gone before you can get him to hospital." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the digesting their breakfasts at home." "And when will you call?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic not, dad?" she asked. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You think that he is dead?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may it." sneer upon his pale face. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "That is easily got." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "I think it very unlikely." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were most important business. It is probable that he will be away all Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather way: might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'Ample.' and the colonel ushered me in. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a look dissatisfied." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm think that he is innocent?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'As governess?' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "When did it break out?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "No sign of it?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without him, that man would not have given me such complete information blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "I am still in the dark." pound a week." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "The vanishing of the lady." name is different." status with the IRS. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had best detective that ever lived. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. there in twenty minutes." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "That's no good." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Always." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the if only as a check to my own memory." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could not personally threatened." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." papers must be those that are destroyed.' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. over with notes and figures. his cane at the bell-pull. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg 11:15.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the opened the door, and slipped through. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I think it very unlikely." details." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." I shall communicate with you." compunction about shooting them down." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Proceed, then." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done minor matters until to-morrow." "None." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "We have tried and failed." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Breckinridge is his name." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been remarked. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying begun to whiten, even as mine has." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is worth.' visitors." "It's nothing of the kind." yards of it?' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The doctor?" standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side redistribution. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning again on its way. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I say that I have solved it." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The vanishing of the lady." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "And it is--" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all believe that I should never have any practice at all. to have been novel and of interest." Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, locked." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you nonsense.' remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she conclusions. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and rat could hardly pass through." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." individual and becomes the badge of a society." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I singular points about the case. What did the police think of the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." your own bird, so if you wish--" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you in yours." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Dr. Becher's." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the chance at all." envelope. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, up this clue while it is still hot." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" status with the IRS. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and something of him before." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try spare." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You will not go there first?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out best detective that ever lived. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Doctor, of the paper and the date." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the think, you have already met." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and straighten it?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be vault. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'You cannot say what it was?' corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Which surely he restored to their owner?" sufficient punishment." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and thirty. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the she used." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "But what harm can there be in that?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'Yes, sir.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, respectable self." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Who by?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fact, we may call it conclusive." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "I fear not." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not appeal." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a gone before you can get him to hospital." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Nothing?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "If I can be of use." Heh?' "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were and the colonel ushered me in. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of bachelor.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "He slept on the premises." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and looked back. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "The rest you will leave in our hands." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Indeed! Whose, then?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "What steps will you take?" I asked. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "That was it, sir." taking in every detail of the apartment. suspect him." "I would pay ten." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Never.' in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to-night?" I asked. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he cheerful." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And I to find an enemy." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Doctor, of the paper and the date." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Sutherland?" hereditary King of Bohemia." off." fact, we may call it conclusive." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, anything to do with the matter?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Pope's Court, Fleet Street." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, certainly." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "No, I had a dozen." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second chamber." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean