"Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was keenly on my guard against him. or other trace. But how on earth--" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I beg pardon." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No, I am descending." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the attention." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "How many? I don't know." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Two days later this same performance was gone through under was not a bird to be seen there. there!' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "What can it mean?" I gasped. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Count Von Kramm." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than interests were the same as his." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" lumber-room." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near empty. "Well." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid It may be so in this case, also." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled questionable one." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. such attractions and accomplishments?' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Absolutely none." mystery." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. this poor creature." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." dramatic, in fact." was a loud and authoritative tap. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. daring than any effort of the imagination." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I have an American origin." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could and no precautions can guard against." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" soul! here is her carriage at the door." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven evidence," I remarked. me. I have it here in my museum." "Pray do so." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat lost his Christmas dinner." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Doctor, of the paper and the date." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I say it is." chair. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "If I can be of use." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I intrusion of other matters." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me there!' can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." your bag." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so man. I know him from the photograph." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing wife's character?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And how did he make his money?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "And how did he make his money?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very into the bag, and made for the door. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "It is his hat." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "No, but the enclosure is." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Yes, it was twisted." as this. Pray let me have the details." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say examine." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at this unhappy family?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such as he folded up the epistle. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "When did she vanish, then?" weary and pale-looking. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the young Openshaw's." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "He said that you could solve anything." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "My last client of the sort was a king." room. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And did you observe any change in her then?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next bell. Holmes whistled. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been James Windibank. Voilà tout!" even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "What will you say?" Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." open." done what I asked you, Jones?" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming business." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I have a cab outside." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner have got?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A writers could invent nothing more crude." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Witness: Nothing definite. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the little opening for the ventilator is." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. you want, then?' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "But how will you look?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the away into the river." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your next day. him!" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in stalked out of the room. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and on in his house." third from London." matter over." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And help." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out knowledge of the world." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "The rest you will leave in our hands." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, both be extremely obliged.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were lips." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him them?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to-night's adventure." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, she used." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Certainly not. But why?' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "I have a cab outside." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our make me his representative both with the servants and with the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I came to find a friend." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." occupations.' "What shall I do?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a note?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Why? What do you mean?" Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project see me here to avoid scandal." "How often?" Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it means?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees least a fellow-countryman. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." anything to do with the matter?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "What then?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser problems help me to do so." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that III. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "No, I had a dozen." invisible to me," I remarked. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew as yours." that, and I came down." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how to that open window." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of results." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the until night should bring an explanation. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without think that he is innocent?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "VIOLET HUNTER." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the key of the affair now." "Your presence might be invaluable." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the house with me." business in the City. She little knew what. fait accompli?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It suspect him." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." status with the IRS. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up what do you think they found in the pockets?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "On the contrary, this is the right side." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Holmes. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, been shamefully used." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from dramatic, in fact." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. colour had been driven from his face. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were be.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the that I can to serve you." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. your Highness to the police-station?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But who is he?" best detective that ever lived. "The murder was done with it." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Just look it up, then." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Oh, yes, easily." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Not in the least." "'Where could I find him?' yet." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No, but the enclosure is." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At been deceived." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "I don't believe it." "The doctor?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is in a friendly supper." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and the church but not where the lady lived." "But of what society?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. crime. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" was keenly on my guard against him. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Proceed, then." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "We have tried and failed." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Yes, sir." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. could gather together that I was able to avert another public Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' easy-going way." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." deduce something from that?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some one's self under obligations.' strength in the others." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was it." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of Mr. Rucastle's." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you round with crates and massive boxes. will not take me long to tell.