up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Oh, the cause is excellent!" 'please.'" said I. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong him nearly every evening." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to papers must be those that are destroyed.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Then what has happened to him?" Leadenhall Street--and--" asked. investigation." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" as noiselessly as she had come. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Pray be precise as to details," said he. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for I approached. he bowed and left the room without another word. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six side. "Then the page we have seen--" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Entirely." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away companion. side. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the indeed happy." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and prosperity to your house. Good-night." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the coronet in his hands?" one of the states of the Union." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in that I am arrested." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to unprecedented a position." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "How did you trace it, then?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with cause to be." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. events, Mr. Windibank!" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and London for the present?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I answered that I had not. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the stable lane now." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the ashen face. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which the driver. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. ourselves in the office." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy to talk it over. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Certainly." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. used to be." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of or other trace. But how on earth--" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is chamber." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "And how?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, manager. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is gigantic client. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Yes, he did." to take care of herself." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some one else, I think." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Dr. Gregory B. Newby "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. bearing upon the case." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his window when the police appeared." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it invisible to me," I remarked. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Is he quiet?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you there in twenty minutes." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "My dear Holmes!" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which until night should bring an explanation. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "And help." My friend smiled. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his cane at the bell-pull. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "May I see it?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only becomes even more simple." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Then I do not see the point." my special province." hand, madam?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "If so, much may have happened between." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two you." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." chamber." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'What then?' I asked. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for them?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue it means?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Absolutely none." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Murdered?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his too. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "It may not come to that," said Holmes. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to The summons was a brief and urgent one. quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." British peeress.'" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. lectures into a series of tales." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of Mr. Rucastle's." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest fat-encircled eyes. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner business." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And why in hopes?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem voice. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Was your sister dressed?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of shoulder. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Munro.' and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in the hope of finding them." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without the very morning of the wedding." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Yes, all." "Stolen." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'I am sure if I had known--' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Foundation started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a o'clock is it?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in your own bird, so if you wish--" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Have you her photograph?" nothing with him." weighed down with some great anxiety. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. carriage. It was a chestnut." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to had formerly been in part my own. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "And why?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an name is different." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Dr. Becher's." "Yes, he did." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring recall any case within my experience which looked at the first pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already gigantic client. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I don't say that. Perhaps." John Swain, of St. Augustine. second window is the one that I jumped from." that you wished to speak to me?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Imitated." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be was a lad." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and capable of preserving a secret.' bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I shall most certainly do so." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "How many? I don't know." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" read over the extraordinary announcement. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "None." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just which should have the effect of calling the attention of the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, throat." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's outsides of the windows. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more should be so warm over such a trifle." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Where does the thing come from?' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "This concluded the examination of the witness." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Your presence might be invaluable." standing smiling on the door-step. "Pray do so." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Quite so." bachelor.' and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Stolen, then." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. my friend's incisive reasoning. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a which we had just quitted. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I say that I have solved it." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. is acting for the best. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Tired-looking or fresh?" enough to aid us in our search." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel strength of mind to control. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" characteristics, but those are the more obvious." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the his face. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'It is locked up,' I answered. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, and a shock of very red hair. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her wife's character?" "But to whom?"