rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Mary, has deserted me." look dissatisfied." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic will take you up to see the machine.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold plantation.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman official police." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "About a month then." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I constraint." Cross for the Continent." arrested. You then--" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there photograph a cabinet?" "'I am sure if I had known--' only touch the interest." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and wait." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked you?" "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of be there in time for your coming." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and a shock of very red hair. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further which was all perfectly true. sofa. This way, please!" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your correct than the official force." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'Which dealer's?' "Well, some hundreds of times." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." at my own good fortune. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Bought." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been had this final quarrel? marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "How do you know, then?" "Ten will be early enough." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'I have already given you my word.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come hard-headed British jury." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to have been novel and of interest." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. lips." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Has he come with you to-night?" nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Watson," he said cordially. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it were putty." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Where to?' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! desk. window when the police appeared." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike what do you think they found in the pockets?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Ten to two.' uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his been shamefully used." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Never,' said I. "And when will you call?" http://gutenberg.net/license). better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite III. himself to hunt down. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "I cannot imagine." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear thought that she would have been so carried away." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to miles off. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee did not hear it also.' examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton prison!" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and inquire as to the address." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Countess of Morcar's?" very old mansion. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to used to be." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Frequently." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. said he. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into o'clock is it?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, but the enclosure is." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Absolutely?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such fat-encircled eyes. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a not, dad?" she asked. "I shall most certainly do so." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "You are hungry," I remarked. this man was intellectual?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman foot. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at leaning back in his chair. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Yes." "And it is--" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." call you and give you the chance." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it to Leatherhead. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without said Mr. Holder. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime nothing of it?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers one else, I think." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I may have an influence upon European history." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the lamp. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, interests were the same as his." look upon these things in a different way." my little problems." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss photograph a cabinet?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It goes to the housekeeper's room." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Yes." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "No, but the enclosure is." 1.E.9. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "That you are never beaten." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous said Mr. Holder. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But you can know nothing of this?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "'Then let me do so?' the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained house for five minutes.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. coroner's jury." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "To an English lawyer named Norton." own family. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? secret." breakfast?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "'You cannot say what it was?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what quite distinctive." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no too. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham girl said." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is posted to-day." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, answer." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed as the one I chose?' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is solved." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my business." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their You can understand that this register and diary may implicate have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "It is his hat." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" posted to-day." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, power." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" peculiar to him. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Game for a morning drive?" hurried by. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, his face which made him a very different person to the round, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely case before our client came into the room." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I pierced for earrings?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Deserted you?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at burst into a hearty fit of laughter. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' behind me. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are to that open window." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Never." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a lips." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a late!' bachelor.' dead, shall be safe with us." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my it? Did I buy the geese off you?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you bonnet, and went out." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a all-comprehensive glances. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the instincts rose up against that laugh. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "So it appears." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin nothing with him." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to McCarthy." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest him to go away.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose crackling voice. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the nice household for a young lady." entirely lost his self-respect." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was back alive. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been delighted to hear it," he said. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in salesman. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "And Irene Adler?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Yes, sir." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." foot. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but even of instruction." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to particular state visit http://pglaf.org Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. like that before?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 once more to my work. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties Street. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, vanished into the darkness. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our Sutherland. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the room while you explain this matter?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'Yes, sir.' to take care of herself." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the me. You must get home instantly and act." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six fatally injured? teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: here." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the have accepted such a situation. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of