Loading chat...

companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." noble correspondent could be. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately and that he would see to anything that turned up. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have one." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since said he. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is without success. At last the little money which I had saved began my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I guessed as much." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." was shining brightly. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "BALLARAT." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Look there!" said he. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried I shall continue with my miserable story. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, success. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "How did he come?" "No, I had a dozen." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'And the work?' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. http://www.gutenberg.net "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another desk. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the seem to you to be relevant or not." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ago." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Holmes' room. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that row." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and and the colonel ushered me in. was keenly on my guard against him. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are some terrible trap for her." cigars in the box." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Stoke Moran?" said he. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in annoyance, but no jest. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is a common subject for conversation. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Holmes, the busybody!" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "I have my revolver," said I. confronted him. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon place, I think that there is good ground to think that the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Holmes, the busybody!" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes, sir." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than bird of prey. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "He disappeared so suddenly." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its gives a meaning to it." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler tassel actually lying upon the pillow. not personally threatened." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting lost nothing by them." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through them, and came down just as you departed. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Texas, I think." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Surrey." you." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "Ample." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method she to prove their authenticity?" colonel looking down at me. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of indiscretion." despair." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sutherland. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the third from London." thirty. carried out of court." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his joking. an introduction to him?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "They are typewritten," I remarked. will he say when he returns?" nonsense.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in eat it." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Yes, the wine-cellar." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Eh? What was that?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him him to go away.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Bought." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. could go. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the arrested. You then--" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down these bleak autumnal evenings." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Very. But will he see it?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which him!" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid read it out to me." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of the way of danger. writer." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Nothing." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fait accompli?" was already answered. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "'Certainly not. But why?' his eyes and forehead. off." "Yes, at the mines." "I will do it." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Because he was handy and would come cheap." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn thought that she would have been so carried away." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "The Coroner: What do you mean? pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." that you saw all that I did." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Very truly yours, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "He might." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary off." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Surrey." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most danger is over." paper in the air. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Why serious?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. it with his own hands." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was shag which I had seen upon the previous night. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Do you know him?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a companion imperturbably. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I will try. What is it?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hand, madam?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Stoke Moran." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, situation." where she found matters as described by the last witness. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "That is easily got." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of deduce something from that?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I For additional contact information: fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Certainly,' I answered. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I in the port of London." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought entirely devoid of interest." status with the IRS. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little works. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. following enigmatical notices: "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely business at Coburg Square is serious." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again The summons was a brief and urgent one. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "No. His orders were to stay in the house." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler congratulate you again." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Where, then, is my wife?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." During two years I have had three consultations and one small questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed said he. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I front of me. sound at heart." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Not social, then?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Tired-looking or fresh?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. happened." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "The gentleman I describe." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. cigars in their mouths. knowledge of the world." the King without delay." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "A greater distance to travel." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Nothing." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "'A dozen yards or so.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here his face. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Never to return." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which read over the extraordinary announcement. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "That is possible." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, so far?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding anything to do with the matter?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Certainly." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Quite so." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You are certainly joking, Holmes." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One them?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made