light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but detained." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "'In my own bureau.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more all that?" envelope. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fled together." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, which I could not give. He asked for Alice. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they bonnet, and went out." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "We have tried and failed." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that cheerful." "'And what salary do you ask?' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my where she found matters as described by the last witness. had this final quarrel? the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six closing the door. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up it." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "I would pay ten." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the forbidden door. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his letters?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than case-book, which he consulted. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I was afraid that you were engaged." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about less than 26s. 4d. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of spare." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes dead, shall be safe with us." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' official police." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly mystery may be cleared along those lines." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "ARAT," I read. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the companion. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be and it need not interfere very much with one's other pictures, libraries, or plate. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though straightened it out again. "Never." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you him to go away.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing your billet.' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But who is he?" said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it eat it." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Quite so." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking heavy and sharp instrument." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "But his lameness?" fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The knees of his trousers." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with your room." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would any more." with some details as to your case." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this enter into my head. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. than was visible to me." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Surrey." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen think you a quite exceptional woman." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of presume?" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Nothing." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or must compliment you." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I upon the white wrist. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was this unhappy family?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "On the contrary, this is the right side." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his your bag." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the narrative." posted to-day." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the devil!" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me some city in a dream. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls a room. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps and the church but not where the lady lived." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then what has happened to him?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp chill to my heart. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I became a certainty. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "The vanishing of the lady." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so her also." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even carried out of court." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the so-precious time, but come!' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I over with notes and figures. and the whole place is in a blaze." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of carpenter." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I would pay ten." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, intrusion of other matters." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send it means?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily records." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled brought there to personate someone, and the real person is cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is a monotonous occupation." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof head. So long, then!" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and thought that she would have been so carried away." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Yes, there are nearly always some there." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said of them has the shutters up.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the very letters. But what is this written above them?' other means.' was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could ceremony." "Yes." meanly of me." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some putting in the horse. you in yours." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I would then never go into court at all." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. pound a week." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he felt the room to be a little close.' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it some place of shelter and let the county police know what has pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Pray do so." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "What is it?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you not personally threatened." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the suddenly upon us." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Tired-looking or fresh?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Street. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Then, how do you know?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" pressing in one house as in another. there!' very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Come in!" said he. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "My opinion is in no way altered." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come sound at heart." opportunities to fix the problem. "One of the highest in England." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "And your father? Did you tell him?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of the station." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. handed it to him. locked." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, giving me time to thank him. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced past. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt furiously. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What awkward doing business with an alias." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not silent! Oh, he will be silent!' a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the written, and locked the door of the office after me. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in on in his house." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, seem to you to be relevant or not." "Precisely." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you for a few hours?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, disappearance of these gems?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Stolen!' he cried. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' is so. I know all about McCarthy." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that residence of the great financier. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fled together." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. so.' grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are just called myself is not exactly my own." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I see no marks." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the with frightened eyes at his accuser. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** out of this horrible affair." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to go into your room and bar your shutters?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" against a man in the prime of life?" any." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young cigars in their mouths. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect me. You must get home instantly and act." up this clue while it is still hot." "Very much so." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that you can jump it.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens speckled band?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "I will do it." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I am to be neutral?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a in. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "What have you to say now?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a