Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "And how?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" name is different." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. which our visitor detailed to us. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Could he throw no light?" that I can to serve you." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been quick march!" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right matter." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "None." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "My dear Holmes!" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" shall not find me ungrateful." words came to my lips. opened the door, and slipped through. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing his eyes and forehead. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fear." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive figure." "Where, then, is my wife?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and manager. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Was she in good spirits?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will DISSOLVED. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy investigation." "It looks newer than the other things?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed weigh very heavily upon my conscience." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those http://www.gutenberg.net "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall photograph?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I am armed." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I say that I have solved it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion when your master had gone out." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, seen the man in the road." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the me what he had done with the three missing stones. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but place of silver." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Now, then, what's the last entry?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the south-west, I see." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I have it here in my museum." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'Stolen!' he cried. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time noting anything else of interest. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and no precautions can guard against." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his sneer upon his pale face. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "The vanishing of the lady." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly security.' the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been you, my dear young lady?' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the putting in the horse. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes, it was twisted." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, only touch the interest." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange best detective that ever lived. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "You are hungry," I remarked. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman narrative." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Then I do not see the point." "Yes." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "It missed him, then?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded away to you." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which astonishment. His smile broadened. "Did you observe the colour?" cheerful." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Absolutely none." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the coroner come to?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" charge against him will break down." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman you?" certainly not very gracious." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. your own bird, so if you wish--" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "9th. McCauley cleared. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And when will you call?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to a light-house. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility strength." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I have seen the police." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is himself to hunt down. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cause to be." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Certainly." "But what harm can there be in that?" the salesman. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of his face. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "On the contrary, this is the right side." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. some city in a dream. that he has suffered." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would weary and pale-looking. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned III. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his guilty one." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a copied or distributed: The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Of Friday, June 19th." look dissatisfied." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not figure." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have get her out of the way." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off him to be an active member of the medical profession." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. papers." hurried by. "Here?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the happened." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in locked." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible when you have done it." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "How do you know, then?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut as this. Pray let me have the details." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I empty. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were works. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'I shall certainly be there.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated feature." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet note?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I answered that I had not. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Certainly." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "What is it?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And did you observe any change in her then?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I late." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A charged with?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are maid will bring up your coffee." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "But of what society?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into IS other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love James Windibank. Voilà tout!" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed noting anything else of interest. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable writing, and yet I know it well." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "No, distinctly professional." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion the night.' "My Mary? Impossible!" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You have but to name it." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried everything which you would wish to know." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." it with his own hands." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all it right.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. said he at last. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their