usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Come in!" said he. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my way in." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which someone who had been in Australia." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the head. So long, then!" the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, bonnet, and went out." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Miss Holder?" "But how did you gain them?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in him to go away.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Yes, but only for you and me." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Nothing?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly joking. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Serpentine Avenue. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "None." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'Yes, I promise.' "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to some other building. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "So I have heard." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you examination of the premises, but without finding anything which province." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Mary, has deserted me." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Of what?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, not personally threatened." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You did not overhear what they said?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Entirely." written, and locked the door of the office after me. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect at once, for I have only half an hour." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Did you become engaged then?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon populous neighbourhood." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's gentleman's clothes. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. started for the Temple to see my husband. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "One of his hands." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the warnings." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast you give your casting vote to?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "He slept on the premises." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he presented more singular features than that which was associated back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "What then?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to photograph a cabinet?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "No?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said ventilator." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know in darkness. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss locked." "You are hungry," I remarked. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that help us in this matter." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "'Stolen!' he cried. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In it were putty." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Then I do not see the point." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you we went to search for him, face downward in a little "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, kind enough to tell me what I should do." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the locked." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "What then?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the works. hopeless attempt at recovering them." was a loud and authoritative tap. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than are, and they are waiting for us." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by confronted him. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you triumphant cloud from his cigarette. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But of what society?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Pray do so." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. crime. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! six. Come in!" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Not in a good cause." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." promised to bring home. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "So I am. Very much so." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "But it has twice been burgled." mysterious end." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should one which it was hard to resist. asked with his eyes open. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical rooms." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "You horrify me." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "You are all wrong." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon not come at once?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they him nearly every evening." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety forehead. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I could gather together that I was able to avert another public goes." never to learn it at all." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I see no marks." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "You have the photograph?" manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, friends, not even his own brother. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be there in time for your coming." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard awaited us upon the table. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the address that was given us in the advertisement. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. did not hear it also.' "And what did you see?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I fear not." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "And Irene Adler?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Never." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "But the mystery?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "At half-wages, in fact." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his a monotonous occupation." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that I may have something better before very many minutes are accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer I nodded again. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Dirty?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "'Quite sure, dad.' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "He disappeared so suddenly." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the woven round him. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and him nearly every evening." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" in him." "Upon what point?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This strange features which were associated with the two crimes which that the gas is not laid on in his house?" tear off another piece?' some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and files of the old papers, following the future career of every The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at distinguish the words: and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried morning." is acting for the best. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up locked." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him for the market.' neither fascinating nor artistic." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that, and I came down." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It is half-past ten now." nonsense.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of was feeling which was the fattest.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as your own bird, so if you wish--" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited had a long day." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." deduce something from that?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is heavy and sharp instrument." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. make me his representative both with the servants and with the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to his knees, staring into the fire. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and cigar and let me expound." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If into the room. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize enter Dr. Roylott's room." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which floor. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "None." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." colonel looking down at me. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I have hopes." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a