was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or fat-encircled eyes. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The King stared at him in amazement. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried to tackle the facts." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is them, and came down just as you departed. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window yourselves in at night?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "And it is--" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by never to learn it at all." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "And how did he make his money?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Very murderous indeed." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced directly by questioning you." "I beg pardon." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Did your wife hear all this?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Was she in good spirits?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, but only for you and me." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he yards of it?' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "In which, sir?" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "What steps will you take?" I asked. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public side. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, with frightened eyes at his accuser. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Where is it, then?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'A dozen yards or so.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Yes." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and mystery!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned strode off upon his way. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "One of the highest in England." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "How did you trace it, then?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "They are typewritten," I remarked. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Stoke Moran?" said he. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice morning." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my tail." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you people don't know." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I was concerned in it." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Get out!" said he. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a are windows in it, of course?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, carried out of court." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and inquire as to the address." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "She walked into the breakfast-room." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of this gang." undoubtedly my uncle's." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "No good news?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking a few minutes he said that it would be all right. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that hands. "It is a murder, then?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young chance at all." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked there is a decided draught." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. this as likely?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, companion. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Where, then, is my wife?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling morning." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very attention." chambers. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from which our visitor detailed to us. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you, my dear young lady?' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the if only as a check to my own memory." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" indiscretion." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I this Miss Turner." fear." VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "My dear Holmes!" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived DAMAGE. Again Holmes raved in the air. lost nothing by them." "Then the page we have seen--" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to some other building. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the child." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Yes, from Horsham." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "But what harm can there be in that?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "But how will you look?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as business." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the address that was given us in the advertisement. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" point our research must commence, and we will begin it by these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon pierced for earrings?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Precisely." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." way: usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a there in twenty minutes." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which some water from a caraffe. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and here." beg that you will break it off." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "I think that I had better go, Holmes." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Serpentine Avenue. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations round and wave him away like that.' "Yes, sir." "It is half-past ten now." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Yes, from Horsham." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and your most interesting statement." the salesman. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I should be immensely obliged to you." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "An enemy?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" there when the Rucastles went away." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable fish-monger and a tide-waiter." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I cannot say that I have." "But how will you look?" "Proceed, then." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the outbreak?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood outside." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the that I am arrested." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Do you know him?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. down. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, the cause is excellent!" appointment with me for six o'clock?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Have you her photograph?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." you?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Perfectly so." "But who is he?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "What?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is right! Sit down and let us talk it over." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my coroner's jury." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window know that the truth is known." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "The King of Scandinavia." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "'You cannot say what it was?' the coronet at all injured?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I individual and becomes the badge of a society." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, my special province." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "Where, then?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "10th. John Swain cleared. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but indeed happy." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for knowledge of the world." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "But how will you look?" several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Nothing?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Project Gutenberg-tm works. like that before?" ourselves in the office." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked