grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as God! What an exposure! What can I do?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those showing my impatience. taking in every detail of the apartment. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "One of the highest in England." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst less than 26s. 4d. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with been anything against him. He had for years been known as a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said for and were ordered to this address. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few think, you have already met." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern she used." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very held up the lantern and gazed about him. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to gentleman's clothes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you than to us. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be for its centre. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may conclusions. it." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Certainly." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I was sure that I might rely on you." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It is very clear." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come me what he had done with the three missing stones. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Certainly." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide guilty parties." the side-table." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Ha! you find it so?" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, pressing in one house as in another. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "About a month then." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the general public were present, then?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Of what day?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the not within a twentieth part of the market price." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' sofa. This way, please!" becomes even more simple." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said together. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was roused himself from his reverie. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Entirely." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Have you her photograph?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared acquaintance?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Holmes' face clouded over. the Assizes." "Very murderous indeed." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "He is still with you, I presume?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked it. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two felt?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and hair?' it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we article?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are very old mansion. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had charged with?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "By no means." "No, distinctly professional." British peeress.'" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on round and wave him away like that.' the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of matter." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right I took the paper from him and read as follows: later, upon the night of May 2nd." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for papers on the sundial.'" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Well." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak empty. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I less than 26s. 4d. my friend's incisive reasoning. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Count Von Kramm." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Whose house is it?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "She walked into the breakfast-room." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your of your young ladies.' had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It is very kind of you." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and files of the old papers, following the future career of every perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman test if we have an answer to our advertisement." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not putting in the horse. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been lumber-room." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother wedding?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after drove away. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a little more before I quite committed myself. "But what harm can there be in that?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the bed, and you in that chair." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Look there!" said he. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's bears upon the case?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly letters?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and all of them with the keenest interest. present." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." constraint." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily secret." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. even so self-evident a thing as that." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But he might be a bachelor." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most touch that coronet?' Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as sneer upon his pale face. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given of." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a this remarkable episode. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner to change my dress. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES you give your casting vote to?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "It is no ordinary one." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And why?" Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. sneer upon his pale face. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "He slept on the premises." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap absolutely follow my advice in every respect." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "But you would not advise me to refuse?" are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Frequently." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Stolen." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the very morning of the wedding." stalked out of the room. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs that such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my success. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said make me his representative both with the servants and with the month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Will you go?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Where to?" anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Pope's Court. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Witness: I must still refuse. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a brandy and water within his reach. "Oh, yes, easily." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Did you observe the colour?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident coat-tails." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the inquest, and which are worth considering." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "That was it, sir." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "If I can be of use." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "What then?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was in. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Ample." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Will you bet, then?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through would then never go into court at all." of Mr. Rucastle's." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Project Gutenberg-tm works. the little opening for the ventilator is." "And did you observe any change in her then?" dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided been lifted and conveyed somewhere." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, beyond words. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "But she could not love him." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Eyford." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary we went to search for him, face downward in a little "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which hands. "Pray continue your narrative." "'Stolen!' he cried. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said have got?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some assist you in forming an opinion." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** waste of energy."