It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a ashen face. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little politicians who had been sent down from the North. this remarkable episode. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that such attractions and accomplishments?' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I am following you closely," I answered. have accepted such a situation. made him keep the appointment." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have not had my rubber." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be strong reason behind." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind be best to do. "Yes." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I don't believe it." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very suddenly upon us." "It missed him, then?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons you." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that him!" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low dead, shall be safe with us." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You horrify me!" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but business." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be been." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "And I say east," said my patient. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. key turn in the lock." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the details." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was and inquire as to the address." becomes even more simple." "10th. John Swain cleared. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. McCarthy." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Did you become engaged then?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." McCarthy." the matter." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning future lives." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Clair, of Lee." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I am in hopes that she does." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment persecution?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the works. secret." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "In the cells." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's a monotonous occupation." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must you." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest excitement. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "It is very clear." existence." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Project Gutenberg-tm works. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "That was it, sir." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point suspect him." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I quickly through a disagreeable task. problems help me to do so." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' placed his cuttings. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a name is different." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle walking." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert said I. "It is possible." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square with her." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "What is it?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything door?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Nothing." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the dangers which encompass me." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, indeed which he could not unravel. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just begin with, and I had not got mine yet." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have do you make of it all?" "She will not sell." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I have hopes." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "'As governess?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had allusion to a rat. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the miles off. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and away into the river." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Where to?' upon the shelf for the interim." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "But we can't all be." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, was a perfect sample of the class. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was be best to do. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me tell them apart.' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Mary, has deserted me." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Can I be of assistance?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my off." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do disappearance of the bride.'" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY examine." you." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Not in a good cause." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project business." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of strong reason behind." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they one or two very singular points about this room. For example, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic said he. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror village inn over there?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I have a cab outside." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. electronic works "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing the iron safe, which he closed upon it. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to his eyes and forehead. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot ordinary clothes on?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Never." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Did you observe the colour?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "A call for help, you thought?" Pope's Court. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "That you are never beaten." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and call for it in person on Monday morning.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in his grey eyes. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and American. Then who could this American be, and why should he way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." already been minutely examined." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up all-comprehensive glances. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "But you would not advise me to refuse?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the derbies." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge fatally injured? of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and other, as fresh and trim as possible. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "And the cigar-holder?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your bag." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "No sign of it?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy strong reason behind." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "And on what day did he meet his death?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Absolutely?" its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Then I can wait in the next room." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'And what salary do you ask?' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." that I may have something better before very many minutes are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came eavesdroppers?' naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been fear." soul! here is her carriage at the door." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Pray do so." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And I say east," said my patient. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and promised to bring home. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to ready to-morrow?' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "What I expected to see." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the such person." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and that he would see to anything that turned up. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I shall be delighted." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The rest you will leave in our hands." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "What do you mean?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for brandy and water within his reach. bachelor.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "And you thought he was pulled back?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. were unconscious?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at with frightened eyes at his accuser. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the coroner come to?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But we can't all be." bachelor.' "Of what day?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the might help us?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Yes, at the mines." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him laugh and put his lips to my ear. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "That you are never beaten." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was answer." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which heavily into it. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which one of them." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was feeling which was the fattest.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in locked." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope into the bag, and made for the door. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. leaning back in his chair. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Not him." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "And when will you call?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his cane at the bell-pull. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern generous with you in money matters.' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Why? What do you mean?" to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester.