waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'What then?' I asked. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hereditary King of Bohemia." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Really! You surprise me." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes." together. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark existence." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' Surrey." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "What can it mean?" I gasped. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Come in!" said Holmes. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "He said that you could solve anything." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I assure you that I am in your hands." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood chemical work which was so dear to him. unprecedented a position." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the jewels which you have stolen?' words came to my lips. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I forehead. kind enough to tell me what I should do." handed it to him. father's young wife. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Have you good authority for what you say?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "He said that you could solve anything." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, fattened it expressly for you.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. formed some opinion?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." call for it in person on Monday morning.' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It call the police, let the police find what they can.' writers could invent nothing more crude." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from strode off upon his way. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you than was visible to me." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring made his money." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Who by?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "To an end?" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue room. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper prepare for the new role I have to play." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the Friday. Was it to be in church?" he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to returning from some small jollification and was making his way self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the matter." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until room?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I will, Miss Turner." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Munro.' untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, that is the Crown." "I have my revolver," said I. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found to-night?' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Chief Executive and Director dramatic, in fact." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to horse could go." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest on in his house." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the your only hope of safety." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Why did you pick him?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "No, I think that I'll take it." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The crackling voice. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. meant." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and when you have done it." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner presented more singular features than that which was associated success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Yes, the wine-cellar." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "You know me, then?" is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the with you alone." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "But you were on a friendly footing?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "It is very kind of you." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it noble correspondent could be. "Then the page we have seen--" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Yes." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I never have." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable any more." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed ago." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "May I see it?" room. "'Entirely.' through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the such person." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the matter." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fat-encircled eyes. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' highroad, where all traces were lost. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I see no marks." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your do.' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is unkempt, staring out at me. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has test if we have an answer to our advertisement." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry bonnet, and went out." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Yes." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. ready to-morrow?' impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and approach us with offers to donate. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, situation." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I was sure that I might rely on you." where we are going." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward them, and came down just as you departed. your most interesting statement." that threaten you." "Never to return." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, read over the extraordinary announcement. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, pound a week." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth a good hundred miles off by now." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it crackling voice. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Pope's Court. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Which dealer's?' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the stable lane now." other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Is purely nominal.' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Ah!" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of at my remark. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold vanished into the darkness. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the he bowed and left the room without another word. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "'A dozen yards or so.' delirious. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Mrs. Toller serenely. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open straightened it out again. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "You forget that I know nothing about it." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the read over the extraordinary announcement. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who bled considerably." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "How often?" "That was it, sir." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and you." happened." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable or in danger--" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the awaited us upon the table. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Where, indeed?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses triumphant cloud from his cigarette. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the King without delay." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some posted to-day." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Surrey." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "The doctor?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George that, and I came down." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better seven miles from Eyford Station.' "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'What, the red-headed man?' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "What have you to say now?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "How did you deduce the select?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your green of the new foliage. "I think that it is very probable." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Yes." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I jewels which you have stolen?' answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. little trying to do so much typewriting?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. he died? LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pierced for earrings?" "It was." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hurried by. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to you for a few hours?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "None." "Eh? What was that?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, strong reason behind." amused." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Again Holmes raved in the air. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to take care of herself." three of the beryls in it, was missing. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and evidence," I remarked. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise."