acquaintance?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Will you go?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that and that he would see to anything that turned up. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent bears upon the case?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "VIOLET HUNTER." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are have not had my rubber." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Have you her photograph?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. back to my heart. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "There is the writing." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they hurried by. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. posted to-day." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, not as remarkable as your advertisement." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his drawing your inferences." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. outsides of the windows. "Has he come with you to-night?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' galvanised. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Quite so. She has her freedom." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have swore that no one else had been in the front room during the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my his huge brown hands. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that What do you deduce from it?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Yes, sir." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in this as likely?" "You know me, then?" "Yes, all." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. fashion which was peculiar to him. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Why serious?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "'Is purely nominal.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "She walked into the breakfast-room." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean said Mr. Holder. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'In my own bureau.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William papers on the sundial.'" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. even of instruction." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "How are you getting on?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Not yet." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You were travelling in the States?" "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I know where it is." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "An accident, I presume?" affection." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a bore every mark of being an average commonplace British imbecility!" he cried. for securing the situation." "My opinion is in no way altered." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I am about to be married." "It certainly sounds feasible." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this fear." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without and your relations to her." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dates and names. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. once more to my work. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend him to go away.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the I shall continue with my miserable story. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Just look it up, then." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar becomes even more simple." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the strode off upon his way. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the never to learn it at all." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of once more on the important position which you have been fortunate silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his details." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to have that photograph." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am presented which may be striking and bizarre without being may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the window, rose as we entered. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Yes, at the mines." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she breakfast?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be will he say when he returns?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very that he will be back before evening." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try get the tickets." "Dark enough and sinister enough." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the tragedy. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers You can understand that this register and diary may implicate power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'And what salary do you ask?' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Whose house is it?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria dates and names. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It is to him that this trophy belongs." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other of Mr. Rucastle's." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the coronet in his hands?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Street. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me married her." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, for its centre. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and have this put in the evening papers." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'There is a drive, then?' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I is now desirous of getting those letters back." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an noble correspondent could be. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the morning." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "No, I am descending." Street. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Lee, in the county of Kent." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, said he. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life think that any burglar could have done. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating throat." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, where she found matters as described by the last witness. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the warnings." place no limit on the sum I may draw." conduct the inquiry." gives a meaning to it." "No, but the enclosure is." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I mystery." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Do you know him?" in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I assure you that I am in your hands." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Where could I find him?' his face. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a companion imperturbably. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated conceal it?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I should wish to." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; once more for Briony Lodge. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "But how did you gain them?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without that I may have something better before very many minutes are "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of remarked. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, at my own good fortune. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards yards of it?' well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, very old mansion. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The will he say when he returns?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring congratulate you again." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a sparkled upon his finger. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had because she had spent so short a time in this country that she comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, could go. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I see many objections to any such theory." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'And the work?' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Tired-looking or fresh?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I was mad--insane." "Quite so. She has her freedom." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too guilty one." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of that you can jump it.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault on re-entering her father's house?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and one's self under obligations.' heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Pool. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "You have it, sir, just as it happened." whereabouts. I took the paper from him and read as follows: hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted letters?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before congratulate you again." "Oh, yes, easily." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Have you it here?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one