"Then how many are there?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the companion. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I God! What an exposure! What can I do?" 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" sparkled upon his finger. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in before the coroner and the police-court." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But she will refuse." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front very morning of my second wedding." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the retorted upon me, and I on you." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said became a certainty. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to in darkness. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such at home. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the trying to your nerves." States. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Yes, at the mines." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "To the police?" "Yes, he did." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is a murder, then?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure success. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "But to whom?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the night.' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, I held the little printed slip to the light. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Witness: It was. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the during which he might have communicated with his friend the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from newspaper selections." approach us with offers to donate. interest. They are important, you understand, without being said I. "'Stolen!' he cried. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she appointment with me for six o'clock?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" were unconscious?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suggested at once that there must be a communication between the back alive. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "'Certainly not. But why?' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ready to-morrow?' and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the absorbing." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Then I am your man." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "This concluded the examination of the witness." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but characteristics, but those are the more obvious." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he. suspect him." "I never have." writer." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in enter into my head. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler delirious. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my my friend's incisive reasoning. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and are, and they are waiting for us." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "In what way?" asked Holmes. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "And from a noble client?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." case before our client came into the room." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Which are?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive your sleep?' you." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is be there in time for your coming." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was to talk it over. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the bottom.' equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for into her hand at the door and which lured her within their which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Yes." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Not him." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "But not more so than I to find you." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only matters immensely." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always outside." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the little opening for the ventilator is." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as points to suicide?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for this unhappy family?" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the bachelor.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question written, and locked the door of the office after me. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in father's young wife. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if up this clue while it is still hot." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the wife's character?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in highroad, where all traces were lost. the little opening for the ventilator is." I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." light and attacked it." again on its way. "I have my revolver," said I. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a be. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What of the rat, then?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, points in connection with it which never have been, and probably dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that Eyford." Munro.' nonsense.' door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "'I shall certainly be there.' strength." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the matter." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "What do you mean?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged once more. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full danger is over." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I gigantic client. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Why, what do you mean?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that morning." astonishment. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered point our research must commence, and we will begin it by with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Never." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a have an American origin." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it were new raised from a basin. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to awaited us upon the table. union?" trifles." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but if only as a check to my own memory." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "No more words. Get out!" "Witness: It was. had formerly been in part my own. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Your French gold?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Quite so." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other mysterious end." a very grave face. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little signal between you and your father? "Yes." been able to understand it, in a very few words. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was shining brightly. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little colonel looking down at me. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Then let me do so?' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from to-night's adventure." telegram would bring me down to your help." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in kind enough to tell me what I should do." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Certainly." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off point our research must commence, and we will begin it by recall any case within my experience which looked at the first result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "You don't mind breaking the law?" horse could go." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the vacancies.' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her prisoner's face. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." undoubtedly my uncle's." hopeless attempt at recovering them." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" was it brought him the coronet? its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the gigantic client. forebodings. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham soul! here is her carriage at the door." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself back alive. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make tied." was feeling which was the fattest.' from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "By train from Waterloo." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have forehead. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a points to suicide?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I see many objections to any such theory." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will noise which awoke you from your sleep?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to he bowed and left the room without another word. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cheerful." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the if I call to-morrow?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has useful material for showing traces. The double line a little London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of chill to my heart. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Literary Archive Foundation "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement."