I nodded to show that I had heard. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw like gravel from a pit.' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite this unhappy family?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some interested in these little problems, and since you are good "No." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. straightened it out again. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey DISSOLVED. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend about here speaks of his kindness to him." orange pips. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Well." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The fasten all the windows?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Not yet." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, my secret was safe in his possession. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he of his shoulders. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his matters immensely." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back 1.F. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Ample." all that?" "I see many objections to any such theory." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "How many? I don't know." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the King without delay." without a word or a look. really the only notable feature about the thing." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a mystery." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to there has been an enclosure here!" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "I assure you that I am in your hands." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the beg that you will break it off." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he perplexity from it to my illustrious client. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself past. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Yes." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your October 9, 1890. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, me what he had done with the three missing stones. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "No. What a strange idea!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "I have solved it." question. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Of what day?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some already been minutely examined." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'Where to?' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the bed, and you in that chair." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card of the efforts of the United States government and of the better any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical call for it in person on Monday morning.' make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Stoke Moran?" said he. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely most interesting one." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the morning and make my own way in the world.' "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as woman who has had her own way to make in the world. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a hands. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of you." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, believe that I should never have any practice at all. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Were they all fastened this morning?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing appeared upon the scene." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of him nearly every evening." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "But he might be a bachelor." drawing your inferences." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; matter." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Certainly." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The me." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "No sign of it?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about returned to France?" caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Henry Baker is a member." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can bled considerably." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" you?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy lost his Christmas dinner." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard think that any burglar could have done. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Very. But will he see it?" when you have done it." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and cost them two and thirty pounds." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a empty. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate said Mr. Holder. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her mystery!" I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "'Very good.' occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "'Yes, it was gone.' "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that important." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an an introduction to him?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Certainly." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "On the contrary, this is the right side." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked you give your casting vote to?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready particular state visit http://pglaf.org peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the over with notes and figures. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, carriage. It was a chestnut." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "An accident, I presume?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are lamp. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Yes." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'Never.' stammered. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to a light-house. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note his forehead." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet sufficient punishment." get her out of the way." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "No, but the enclosure is." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I never have." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered horse could go." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began to me. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'I have heard so.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated jewels which you have stolen?' so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the coroner come to?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and fire. You quite follow me?" way: The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out believe that I should never have any practice at all. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." been with you?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'In my own bureau.' nice household for a young lady." tightly behind him. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the coroner come to?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every be. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Very. But will he see it?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "And how did he make his money?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That is it on the dressing-table." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than already been minutely examined." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the humiliation." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I enough to aid us in our search." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate back alive. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I legal crime." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not about. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the never to learn it at all." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I annoyance, but no jest. him nearly every evening." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him American. Then who could this American be, and why should he do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a memory. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" a room. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety little adventures." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which strong reason behind." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a suggestive one." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, together. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "That is not always so easy." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my narrative." "And how did he make his money?" electronic works data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "But what harm can there be in that?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a ceremony." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "No, finished." amused." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Perhaps we may make them less so." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Yes, only one." "The King of Scandinavia." "By no means." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Really! You surprise me." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It and have this put in the evening papers." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his heavily into it. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Which dealer's?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk in my life." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no hardly wander." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room train from Paddington which would bring you there at about confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I cannot say that I have." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I do." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem