"Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & stepfather?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I warn you that they are very incomplete." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Yes. He waved his hands." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with cigars in their mouths. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You did not overhear what they said?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the it means?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Have you it here?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "'Very good.' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Yes." Watson," he said cordially. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, charged with?" But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Witness: It was. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "But you have hopes?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." wedding?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the address that was given us in the advertisement. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that be. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must returned to France?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, voice, changing her seat as requested. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Was your sister dressed?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the system of imprisonment?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have forehead. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at careless servant girl?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer newspaper selections." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case meant it for the best. have established a very serious case against the son of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Yes, at the mines." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, gives a meaning to it." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "The landlord of the Alpha." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was was keenly on my guard against him. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "And how did he make his money?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And you don't know his address?" derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in very morning of my second wedding." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Won't it ring?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in believe that I should never have any practice at all. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hurried away. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? of it with the greatest attention. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and all of them with the keenest interest. "By train from Waterloo." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "What do you make of that, Watson?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Arthur Conan Doyle have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have said he. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Certainly." "Nearly eleven." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It is his hat." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, affair. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The King stared at him in amazement. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point business." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes, that is the Crown." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." should be taken.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel answer." "Did he not advertise?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got said I. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "None." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Where does the thing come from?' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the ceiling. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I should like to see him very much." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon memory. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. him. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "It is true that I have been generally successful." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Where is it, then?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point within hail.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed later, upon the night of May 2nd." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." meant." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without possible that we could bring him back to her? sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged fattened it expressly for you.' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." you in your example." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we back alive. and the church but not where the lady lived." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I cannot think." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One walking." copied or distributed: were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." annoyance, but no jest. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among gone before you can get him to hospital." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sneer upon his pale face. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are ordinary clothes on?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence new duties?' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Witness: It was. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the bird I ate is country bred." "Were they all fastened this morning?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of During two years I have had three consultations and one small He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the indeed happy." conceal it?" my friend's incisive reasoning. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "You know me, then?" it means?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up business came to an end." one which it was hard to resist. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "No." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom not use it unless it is absolutely needed." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how completely overtopped every other consideration that we both usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call you give your casting vote to?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I read over the extraordinary announcement. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money head. So long, then!" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far had died away into the silence from which it rose. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "I cannot say that I have." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of I approached. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "ARAT," I read. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "What can you not understand?" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." beg that you will break it off." "But how will you look?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I don't say that. Perhaps." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Entirely." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "It is solved." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we placed his cuttings. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have thirty. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Have you good authority for what you say?" "No, finished." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of call the police, let the police find what they can.' case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. you, my dear young lady?' to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Lee, in the county of Kent." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, this Miss Turner." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" better grown goose." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, coroner's jury." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a within hail.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" learned something! Where are the gems?" "Of what day?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who developed." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." you understand?" "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second man. I know him from the photograph." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Proceed, then." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know derbies." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Never to return." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No, my brougham is waiting." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes, at the mines." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "It is true that I have been generally successful." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would matters immensely." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are tapping his fingers upon the table.