gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his washing it down with a long draught of water. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I will get her to show me." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the be sorry for having acted so harshly." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Then I shall certainly come." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the matter?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my secret was safe in his possession. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Nearly eleven." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But name is different." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to chamber." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Here?" foot. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call both be extremely obliged.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "No bad?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, so far?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that relief. a good hundred miles off by now." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Breckinridge is his name." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, fluttered off among the others. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me think you a quite exceptional woman." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand important." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the but preventing her from injuring another. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And you can do nothing until then?" bachelor.' interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "But you were on a friendly footing?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich tail." "Texas, I think." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Get out!" said he. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer developed." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to done what I asked you, Jones?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and very old mansion. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs which I could not give. He asked for Alice. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in has little to do with my story." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'I am sure that I do not know.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project future lives." colonel looking down at me. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Where, then?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Precisely." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It disturbance in my wife." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and them?" "I would pay ten." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, back into the street. "But how will you look?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Yes." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. chance at all." was a loud and authoritative tap. the coronet in his hands?" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, quick march!" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Pray do so." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "'What then?' I asked. digesting their breakfasts at home." "An accident, I presume?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" said he. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue to surprise her." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight Holmes rather sternly. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "No more words. Get out!" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "I cannot tell." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but pound a week." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon washing it down with a long draught of water. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with entirely devoid of interest." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a when you have done it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The of it with the greatest attention. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "And why?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes particular state visit http://pglaf.org with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "We were both in the photograph." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, acted in my house last night?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Have you her photograph?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Perfectly so." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Then how many are there?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It is a murder, then?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "I would give my fortune to have them back." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "My dear Holmes!" "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works burst into a hearty fit of laughter. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' shall use the carriage to-night." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Certainly." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those in my life." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged man. I know him from the photograph." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of out." morning." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Witness: I must still refuse. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Gutenberg-tm License. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to security.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of way in." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "What, then?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, interested in these little problems, and since you are good Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our you?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Of Friday, June 19th." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of place of silver." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see prove to be little relation between the different incidents of conduct the inquiry." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I have hopes." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' see a sister of mine apply for." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you nothing with him." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." obstinate." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Not social, then?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one 'please.'" horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and at my remark. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I cannot as yet see any connection." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more fishes. "Married! When?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the to me. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Very well, sir. And this stone?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker him." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "It is very kind of you." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six miles off. of a light. John Swain, of St. Augustine. I am not easy in my mind about them." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "No." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Entirely." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Breckinridge is his name." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the carpenter." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR long narrative. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Of what day?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing disappearance of these gems?" "What can it mean?" I gasped. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a works. See paragraph 1.E below. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "And it is--" Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry never to learn it at all." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that people in all walks of life. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "To an end?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I have my revolver," said I. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of may have an influence upon European history." "Witness: I must still refuse. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But how could you guess what the motive was?" swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main eat it." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Gutenberg-tm License. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seen the man in the road." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Nearly eleven." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. noise which awoke you from your sleep?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose intrusion of other matters." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your examination of the premises, but without finding anything which house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ago." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: opportunities to fix the problem. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and easy-going way." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' begin with, and I had not got mine yet." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy manager. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But who is he?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of figure." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, speckled band?" shall use the carriage to-night." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it