"There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End excitement. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He highly," said Holmes. evidence," I remarked. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." murdered man." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it awkward doing business with an alias." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was redistribution. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful locked." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we prison!" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "In answer to an advertisement." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the think, you have already met." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "It is solved." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and it need not interfere very much with one's other in my life." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." he. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work business at Coburg Square is serious." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Where to?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "The doctor?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder felt?" out of this horrible affair." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that I may have something better before very many minutes are One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I strength in the others." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Pope's Court. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we despair." and the colonel ushered me in. quick march!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Certainly." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the 1.E.9. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. to surprise her." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. cheerful." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Eh? What was that?" intrusion of other matters." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "He is still with you, I presume?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss himself. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." had a long day." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes John Swain, of St. Augustine. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And why?" and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "'And what salary do you ask?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "What are they?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "That is it on the dressing-table." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of minor matters until to-morrow." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "To the police?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Ha! you find it so?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with voice, changing her seat as requested. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The suddenly upon us." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Well, some hundreds of times." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "My last client of the sort was a king." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "And the cigar-holder?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, pictures, libraries, or plate. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in night.' said he. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, disappearance of the bride.'" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could fled together." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My chair. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I cannot think." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If few hundred pounds.' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Could he throw no light?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Game for a morning drive?" his grey eyes. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Nor running a chance of arrest?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" purpose equally well?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, cup of tea. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is possible." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my you for a few hours?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes, there are nearly always some there." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), yards of it?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a third from London." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town distinguish the words: introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Whose house is it?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, see me here to avoid scandal." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my went to the Alpha were town bred." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been country, and eventually married, without anyone having a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "How many? I don't know." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could round with crates and massive boxes. shoulder. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a have been better. It is all right." "How are you getting on?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sofa. This way, please!" "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important people in all walks of life. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, never will be, entirely cleared up. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "It missed him, then?" them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start so far?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Ah!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a ashen face. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted later, upon the night of May 2nd." bell. Holmes whistled. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." sound at heart." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I if I call to-morrow?" questionable one." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but works. See paragraph 1.E below. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in frequently gained my first real insight into the character of adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to arrive at through this?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was lame." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "The King of Scandinavia." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Was she in good spirits?" grasp, he hurried from the room. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and his face. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A plantation.' "No." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Ample.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Do you receive much company?" he asked. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her one or two very singular points about this room. For example, had a long day." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be showing my impatience. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from friends, not even his own brother. prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." vault. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite certainly do as you advise." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of what is your own theory as to what took place?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Then, how do you know?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and felt?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our happened." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Your presence might be invaluable." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in upon the shelf for the interim." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And now?" I asked. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. careless servant girl?" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this not fit the lock." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Of what?" some city in a dream. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the tragedy. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" quick march!" "Texas, I think." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I see many objections to any such theory." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the had died away into the silence from which it rose. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing you want, then?' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him is a common subject for conversation. at home. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your residence of the great financier. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "One?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the for the market.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the papers." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most