daring than any effort of the imagination." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless this remarkable episode. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good written, and locked the door of the office after me. the very morning of the wedding." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing lamp. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I conversation I have gathered that they have been married about the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of your young ladies.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their allusion to a rat. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there client, rising. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. records." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "It is a murder, then?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her prisoner's face. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only business." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Dark enough and sinister enough." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees perplexity from it to my illustrious client. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did points in connection with it which never have been, and probably light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Yes, that is the Crown." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' arrangements." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Yes.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my that I may have something better before very many minutes are examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, when your master had gone out." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not at my remark. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they wedding?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" wedding?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, think that he is innocent?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "In what way?" asked Holmes. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "And did you observe any change in her then?" "I would pay ten." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "And that is--" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of present." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "How did you deduce the select?" "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But what will you do?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his fashion which was peculiar to him. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." question," said Holmes, smiling. "What do you make of that, Watson?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window was the fact that his father should, according to his account, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "That was it, sir." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with presume?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I will not look." "But his lameness?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at late!' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Absolutely none." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in shoulder. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'What, the red-headed man?' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the coronet in his hand?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper look dissatisfied." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe his knees, staring into the fire. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Have you her photograph?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the south-west, I see." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts is acting for the best. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "You have carte blanche." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "And now?" I asked. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit vanished into the darkness. "I guessed as much." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'I shall certainly be there.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Your sister is dead, then?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with made him keep the appointment." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I think that I could be of assistance to you." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Well, some hundreds of times." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, go from here to the Strand." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, annoyance, but no jest. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Well." crackling voice. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never gentleman's clothes. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard cost them two and thirty pounds." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Where, then?" done what I asked you, Jones?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know until night should bring an explanation. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "No good news?" "How did that help you?" do.' when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Leave Paddington by the 11:15." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with redistribution. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' it." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug developed." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm who was a member of your goose club." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able His name is Francis Prosper." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Upon what point?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' laugh and put his lips to my ear. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." but preventing her from injuring another. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which During two years I have had three consultations and one small forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the into the room. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual emerged. more terrible than the truth. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in the hope of finding them." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly outside. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a security.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "And leave your case unfinished?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sufficient punishment." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going your Highness to the police-station?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows to-night?" I asked. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Certainly." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rat could hardly pass through." rose-bushes. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "What do you make of that, Watson?" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, returned to France?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into burst out into a roar of laughter. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "A client, then?" "Where did he live, then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand within hail.' he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, an introduction to him?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing III. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Your French gold?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, delirious. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I think that it is very probable." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and problems help me to do so." "'Then let me do so?' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided meant." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to o'clock is it?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. emerged. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in darkness. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Not him." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the roots. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own 'please.'" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, call you and give you the chance." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a second." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. exactly what you advise." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I this as likely?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Then what has happened to him?" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "It is solved." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Where could I find him?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and and laid it on the table. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Arthur Conan Doyle Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he to that open window." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "But he might be a bachelor." this as likely?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would heavily into it. "I beg pardon." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the go from here to the Strand." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to answered with a sidelong glance. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Ha! you find it so?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation conduct the inquiry." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the little opening for the ventilator is." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Pray continue your narrative." power." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. records." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?"