"'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich beg that you will break it off." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in hour?' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be disappearance of the bride.'" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." overpowering excitement and concern. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it You want to know what became of those geese?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' whether it answered to the description of any of their burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most fashion which was peculiar to him. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than morning." heavily into it. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler where Mr. Fordham shows you.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and upon the white wrist. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, forebodings. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "A client, then?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked opened the door, and slipped through. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "My dear Holmes!" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Never,' said I. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing cigars in their mouths. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an of his shoulders. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the again on its way. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass God! What an exposure! What can I do?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a questionable one." breakfast." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. nothing of it?" outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming within hail.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "In answer to an advertisement." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Indeed! Whose, then?" waste of energy." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "That you are never beaten." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "You horrify me!" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. fact, we may call it conclusive." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, be best to do. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before prisoner's face. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had highroad, where all traces were lost. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm stepfather?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Was your sister dressed?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was think, you have already met." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite it." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, morning." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said is now desirous of getting those letters back." were wasted." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and to-night." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found her also." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Countess of Morcar's?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One bears upon the case?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading for and were ordered to this address. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Just look it up, then." remarked. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And how did you verify them?" might help us?" you do it in twenty minutes!' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "You think that he is dead?" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand off." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I have a cab outside." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any recall any case within my experience which looked at the first array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fuss that is made over them." to affect your life." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the papers." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the nursery. "How do you know, then?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter quite distinctive." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third drawing your inferences." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of Eyford at 11:15.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands depend upon my doing so.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "And leave your case unfinished?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was I think that I could be of assistance to you." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "My dear Holmes!" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "At what time?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet said he. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Oh, the cause is excellent!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Nearly eleven." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card little trying to do so much typewriting?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he prisoner's face. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is crackling voice. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap occupations.' refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which to-night?' aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in the port of London." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building that threaten you." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the one which it was hard to resist. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Because he was handy and would come cheap." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tell him that I know him to be innocent." invisible to me," I remarked. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "My dear Holmes!" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and late!' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently any." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And you can do nothing until then?" "Did your wife hear all this?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a little more before I quite committed myself. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the towards the blaze. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out this unhappy family?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you during that time.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the written, and locked the door of the office after me. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and any little problem which you may submit to me." "I guessed as much." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were For additional contact information: "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "What of the rat, then?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'How far from the body?' "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." my secret was safe in his possession. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "I cannot imagine." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will page at http://pglaf.org "Precisely so. But how--" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old at my remark. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring could go. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of written. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs any more." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Pray continue your narrative." "In the cells." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Where does the thing come from?' "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "That is unusual in a young girl." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I late." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we shall use the carriage to-night." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether