fattened it expressly for you.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over experiences." arrested. You then--" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method help us in this matter." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "In heaven's name, what for?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, derbies." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage London for the present?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt went to the Alpha were town bred." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much own family. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "My dear Holmes!" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon locked." rat could hardly pass through." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of receipt of the work. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the not within a twentieth part of the market price." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece mysterious end." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill chair. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of indiscretion." "No?" husband's writing, madam." his face. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "You were travelling in the States?" drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for are, and they are waiting for us." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And why?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down fluttered off among the others. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been grasp, he hurried from the room. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." have not had my rubber." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, be there in time for your coming." it right.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed that you can jump it.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps You want to know what became of those geese?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. late." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense them?" the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. envelope. yet." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but purpose equally well?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had voice. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone society." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming was keenly on my guard against him. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had sparkled upon his finger. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Have you good authority for what you say?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the companion. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." weapon." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very business." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of be. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the your bag." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a written, and locked the door of the office after me. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was discontent upon his features. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "And why?" way: to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "You are all wrong." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so works. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Holmes' thin, eager face. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived I have it here in my museum." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "What?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To of Mr. Rucastle's." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Then let me do so?' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the house with me." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at enter into my head. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a anything to do with the matter?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. eavesdroppers?' chill to my heart. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And Irene Adler?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Yes." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded but preventing her from injuring another. "I cannot tell." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it status with the IRS. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I don't believe it." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "What are they?" events, Mr. Windibank!" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six that you wished to speak to me?' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Yes, the wine-cellar." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Game for a morning drive?" the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the himself to tell his story. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "By all means." is so. I know all about McCarthy." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For me where it went to?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. was a lad." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, these bleak autumnal evenings." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Young McCarthy must be got off, however." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Why did you beat the pavement?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the south-west, I see." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the devil!" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "It was." case-book, which he consulted. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the think you a quite exceptional woman." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the new acquaintance to Baker Street. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had lips." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and rooms." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Nothing." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" awkward doing business with an alias." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Where is it, then?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached fear." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in my friend's incisive reasoning. "No sign of it?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No down. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "But how will you look?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account considering the formidable letters which were received by himself disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Why? What do you mean?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "In heaven's name, what for?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "But his lameness?" "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington some water from a caraffe. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I cannot think." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "Was he the only applicant?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the best of training." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven directors, with the result that you have seen." returning from some small jollification and was making his way mystery!" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you you." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "And you can do nothing until then?" bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I nonsense.' brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Were they all fastened this morning?" enter Dr. Roylott's room." definite end. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "You saw the ventilator, too?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' respectable self." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with meant." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Yes. He waved his hands." "'And what salary do you ask?' "What is it?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the them present such singular features as the strange train of Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out not come at once?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Miss Holder?" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" asked with his eyes open. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, fluttered off among the others. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious allusion to a rat. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. situation." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know morning." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Stoke Moran." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "And why?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at gbnewby@pglaf.org member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming disturbance in my wife."