then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; there when the Rucastles went away." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly you." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "But his left-handedness." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, him!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my delighted to hear it," he said. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "What do you mean?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Dirty?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one we went to search for him, face downward in a little rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "On the contrary, this is the right side." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman joking. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a You want to know what became of those geese?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Did your wife hear all this?" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Holmes, the busybody!" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the to-night?' stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I villagers almost as much as their master. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can things are very often connected not with the larger but with the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I answered that I had not. "Then I can wait in the next room." "He is still with you, I presume?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no infinite languor in his face. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the him." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "It's nothing of the kind." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "To the police?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "How long did she speak to this Alice?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his everything which you would wish to know." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about leave you to your papers for a little." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Arthur Conan Doyle 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, both be extremely obliged.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very which should have the effect of calling the attention of the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "An accident, I presume?" "'What then?' I asked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Serpentine Avenue. you came in." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the child." purpose equally well?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is sooner or later she must fall a victim. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do upon the shelf for the interim." tell him that I know him to be innocent." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "What then?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." morning." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And help." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Ample.' enter Dr. Roylott's room." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the very morning of my second wedding." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the she used." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "My photograph." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my furiously. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "No, distinctly professional." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'I have already given you my word.' a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "So I heard. You have him here?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Murdered?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "You'll never persuade me to believe that." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. leave you to your papers for a little." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. security.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last to miss it." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that girl said." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the sneer upon his pale face. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the inner apartment." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as You can understand that this register and diary may implicate ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the loss of it. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Witness: It was. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of campaign. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "'Never.' "So I am. Very much so." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account breakfast?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich you." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "It missed him, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at again, where I was soon asleep. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It is very clear." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, wife's character?" to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great some place of shelter and let the county police know what has WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "But I am all in the dark." back to my heart. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: voice, changing her seat as requested. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a in a friendly supper." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the dangers which encompass me." "And why in hopes?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably cigars in their mouths. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he definite end. fluttered off among the others. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "How did that help you?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it with his own hands." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. him and tried to hold him back. tail." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally London for the present?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious DISSOLVED. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Holmes." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "What steps will you take?" I asked. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a unprecedented a position." girl said." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope highly," said Holmes. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were hardly wander." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." good for you to do.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my October 9, 1890. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from pity, because in other respects you would really have done very I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Pope's Court, Fleet Street." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you daring than any effort of the imagination." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is half-past ten now." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" written, and locked the door of the office after me. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "There are none." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom intimate personal affairs in this public manner." London for the present?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "In what way?" asked Holmes. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single his eyes and forehead. "I say it is." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and like that before?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for gigantic client. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Stolen!' he cried. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out hands. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should have one." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "At the wedding breakfast." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in most interesting one." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" eavesdroppers?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at believe that I should never have any practice at all. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." himself in a perplexing position. someone who had been in Australia." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his straightened it out again. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your might help us?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a ways of our fellow-men." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." direction." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Dirty?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my even so self-evident a thing as that." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the side-table." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun he bowed and left the room without another word. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking