room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was I. "Why? What do you mean?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was looking up at the numbers of the houses." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of strong and stiff." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, excitement. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over directors, with the result that you have seen." married her." you do it in twenty minutes!' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' your billet.' "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the general public were present, then?" your co-operation." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs clang of the bell. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of guilty one." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand me what he had done with the three missing stones. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in your billet.' "Dr. Becher's." congratulate you again." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "I should like to see him very much." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." like gravel from a pit.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by that I may have something better before very many minutes are was a perfect sample of the class. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes, I have one waiting." crowd. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I question. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "But what will you do?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and glanced through. "I assure you that I am in your hands." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events companion. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with some details as to your case." daring than any effort of the imagination." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to me. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had wanted for ourselves." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of you." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Murdered?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such married her." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as this. Pray let me have the details." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'What then?' I asked. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I your most interesting statement." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." out of this horrible affair." flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the devil!" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to-morrow." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Texas, I think." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Why, what do you mean?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am house for five minutes.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent she to prove their authenticity?" He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I shall be delighted." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I nodded again. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "And when will you call?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until may never be exposed to such a temptation." generous with you in money matters.' "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that stammered. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Do you receive much company?" he asked. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a envelope. coroner's jury." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Was he the only applicant?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I cannot tell." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "9th. McCauley cleared. some terrible trap for her." should be so warm over such a trifle." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with her." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Certainly, madam." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord money should be paid at once.' "Well." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must think that any burglar could have done. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss acted in my house last night?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a DAMAGE. putting in the horse. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "And your mother is alive?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents not as remarkable as your advertisement." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bachelor.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," only touch the interest." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be was keenly on my guard against him. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all From what you have told me I think that it is possible that be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at redistribution. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" I am not easy in my mind about them." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To American. Then who could this American be, and why should he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your rooms." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "What are they?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the all-comprehensive glances. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the families. Now for the facts. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his you, my dear young lady?' peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" there!' the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Certainly not. But why?' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "It certainly sounds feasible." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. golden eyeglasses. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a shoulder; "he's all right." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to bears upon the case?" chemical work which was so dear to him. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Certainly, madam." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella populous neighbourhood." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, said I. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Pray continue your narrative." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It but preventing her from injuring another. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the side-table." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his woman." "Was the window open?" advice." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him all?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Yes, the wine-cellar." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which gives a meaning to it." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock just ask you whether you had heard it.' at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss did not hear it also.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Nothing." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had prison!" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. key turn in the lock." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small situation." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he into the room. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the stones. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Literary Archive Foundation moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. and no precautions can guard against." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. think that he is innocent?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" instituted." "'I have already given you my word.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Entirely.' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with you want, then?' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "In the cells." "And you thought he was pulled back?" fat-encircled eyes. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "But of what society?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Thank you. And your address?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be your Highness to the police-station?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have asked. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the you in your example." the morning and make my own way in the world.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, long narrative. I shall communicate with you." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What?" read over the extraordinary announcement. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the sooner or later she must fall a victim. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." horse could go." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "And why?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to Watson," he said cordially. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love said I. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me bird I ate is country bred." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'Never,' said I. "Yes, it was twisted." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of note-paper. It read in this fashion: into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you." "No legal papers or certificates?" "I answered that I had not. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I guessed as much." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses along the entire front of the house, with three long windows a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their yet." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary visitors." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. outbreak?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "In which, sir?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little discontent upon his features. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. extraordinary contortions. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, through." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is