"I am to be neutral?" "'I am sure if I had known--' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It surprised me." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "It came here." "Here?" Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I papers." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. the very morning of the wedding." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Where, then?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Yes, from Horsham." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too be.' the bed, and you in that chair." true." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine weapon." "So it appears." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that Lee, in the county of Kent." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; fasten all the windows?" "The vanishing of the lady." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "But I have heard all that you have heard." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Precisely." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the window, rose as we entered. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked not fit the lock." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Yes." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have desk. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Did he not advertise?" "But it has twice been burgled." to affect your life." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a which it had come upon my father." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Tired-looking or fresh?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Then I am your man." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so forebodings. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend point in the dark hollow of his hand. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. newspaper selections." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black of this gang." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters she to prove their authenticity?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "How did he come?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his huge brown hands. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And who is her maid?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. asked with his eyes open. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how business." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his What do you deduce from it?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger definite end. "Yes." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely married her." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "So I have heard." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better that the gas is not laid on in his house?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the learned something! Where are the gems?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You think so, too?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "'Certainly not.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hour." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "My photograph." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "No." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, soul! here is her carriage at the door." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. window when the police appeared." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It is very clear." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom into her hand at the door and which lured her within their endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, wedding?" himself to tell his story. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I know where it is." which it had come upon my father." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than maiden herself was most instructive." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and behind me. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At father's young wife. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before bachelor.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the very morning of the wedding." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" as the one I chose?' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have derbies." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a ago." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their weigh very heavily upon my conscience." have an American origin." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Where, then?" anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced some terrible trap for her." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." look upon these things in a different way." you." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "The Cedars?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any prison!" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each would apply.' for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Serpentine Avenue. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, astonishment. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" noting anything else of interest. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be questioning and rather startled gaze. unprofitable." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a yet." highroad, where all traces were lost. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" IS held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We husband's writing, madam." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may business." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. little adventures." than to us. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and was feeling which was the fattest.' "'What then?' I asked. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer License. You must require such a user to return or "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied 11:15.' tell them apart.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as make me his representative both with the servants and with the the tragedy. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor the stable lane now." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "You know me, then?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "A confidential servant?" "Yes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked will he say when he returns?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at it." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Quite so. She has her freedom." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and capable of preserving a secret.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "But how?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have got?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "But we can't all be." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I think it very unlikely." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it take the flies, but not before." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Yes.' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "We were both in the photograph." we went to search for him, face downward in a little however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "I shall be delighted." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked these bleak autumnal evenings." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the which it had come upon my father." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major excitement. "Which are?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "That is not always so easy." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I took the paper from him and read as follows: works. See paragraph 1.E below. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have approach us with offers to donate. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Come in!" said Holmes. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "We were both in the photograph." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it one's self under obligations.' fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Did you observe the colour?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. there in twenty minutes." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the matter?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Surrey." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from will he say when he returns?" presume?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had