minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "From his hat?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to presented more singular features than that which was associated loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back carriage. It was a chestnut." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Holmes' room. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Cross for the Continent." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "The rest you will leave in our hands." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not question. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Certainly." point in the dark hollow of his hand. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without him." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "My dear Holmes!" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of night.' said he. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle comes from the middle window." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, derbies." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Quite so." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Have you good authority for what you say?" question," said Holmes, smiling. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "We have tried and failed." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced quite distinctive." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the the inner apartment." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect of the one which your family is now devouring." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked tapping his fingers upon the table. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "No." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'Which dealer's?' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into likely to be some crony of the landlady's." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "My dear Holmes!" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel once more on the important position which you have been fortunate it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are child?' face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the very morning of the wedding." dramatic, in fact." would then never go into court at all." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my room. speckled band?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the have not had my rubber." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But what harm can there be in that?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have accepted such a situation. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End conduct the inquiry." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "None." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Never." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "It came here." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." companion quietly. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "That sounds a little paradoxical." "In which, sir?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'As governess?' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to me. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Deserted you?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, now. It seems that there had been some informality about their International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin good-night and bustled off upon her way. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Very much so." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of bird of prey. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the coroner come to?" never will be, entirely cleared up. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and looked back. "Not particularly." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway visitors." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fled together." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." woven round him. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, as noiselessly as she had come. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger that the gas is not laid on in his house?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of photograph?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Holmes rather sternly. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "But he might be a bachelor." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the dangers which encompass me." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "But he might be a bachelor." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long the King without delay." brain must have something in it." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their quick march!" room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to-night's adventure." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to father's young wife. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'There is a drive, then?' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'Yes, sir.' "What!" he roared. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we would then never go into court at all." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged strode off upon his way. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my once more to my work. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "No, but the enclosure is." chambers. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." said I. what I may call a really hard day's work." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Look there!" said he. national property. I was determined that the law should have its everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Holmes. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a clang of the bell. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Absolutely?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the will take you up to see the machine.' very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Just look it up, then." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said outsides of the windows. "You have but to name it." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking business matters.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Look there!" said he. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the will not take me long to tell. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Absolutely none." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left use an arc-and-compass breastpin." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "By train from Waterloo." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore DISSOLVED. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal these bleak autumnal evenings." The summons was a brief and urgent one. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "No bad?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot here and I will read it to you: main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of me. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away himself. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the key of the affair now." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hopeless attempt at recovering them." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before were wasted." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution call you and give you the chance." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "Was your sister dressed?" "But what harm can there be in that?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you place no limit on the sum I may draw." "There is the writing." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "I was mad--insane." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "I think that I had better go, Holmes." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore noting anything else of interest. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a papers on the sundial.'" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit your room." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the everything which you would wish to know." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Countess of Morcar's?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. that you saw all that I did." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Yes, it was twisted." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the compunction about shooting them down." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass tension within him. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." of campaign. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And why?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes.