a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be this truth that in these little records of our cases which you hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "I will get her to show me." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" woven round him. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if habit of advancing money.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own mystery may be cleared along those lines." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as you came in." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we one else, I think." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what happened." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "To an end?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wall." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would ran thus: than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I completely overtopped every other consideration that we both seven miles from Eyford Station.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I am in hopes that she does." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the date of his supposed suicide." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It is true that I have been generally successful." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, ran thus: know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a situation." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Frequently." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. disappearance of these gems?" sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and been anything against him. He had for years been known as a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in better in every way that they should make their position a little frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into hour." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Nearly eleven." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few over part of the map. "What do you read?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Street. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, himself to hunt down. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project hopeless attempt at recovering them." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was feeling which was the fattest.' the little opening for the ventilator is." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, nonsense.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the Assizes." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "I was mad--insane." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was beyond words. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "I cannot as yet see any connection." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Then I shall certainly come." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was was a perfect sample of the class. "Yes." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and effective." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after said he at last. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw opened a pocket-book and took out a note. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." directly by questioning you." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of do you make of it all?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unprofitable." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. here." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "One of the highest in England." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. fled together." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Why, it's a dummy," said he. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major me what he had done with the three missing stones. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "No legal papers or certificates?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was 1.F. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all disappearance of the bride.'" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It village inn over there?" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, carriage. It was a chestnut." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have I gained?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it would apply.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. friend's singular character. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It surprised me." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Heh?' stalked out of the room. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "My Mary? Impossible!" week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I forehead. as the one I chose?' ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their south, for the country is more deserted there." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Why? What do you mean?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "On your arm?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. to a light-house. the general public were present, then?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism John Swain, of St. Augustine. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Well." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "By all means." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white a good hundred miles off by now." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "How many? I don't know." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "And what did you see?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in will not take me long to tell. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since him!" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'A dozen yards or so.' "Frequently." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the interest. They are important, you understand, without being "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "What is it?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fire. You quite follow me?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to do.' house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return purpose of examination. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is woman." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with cause to be." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "But we can't all be." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "And how did you find out?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'I am sure if I had known--' detained." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged I took the paper from him and read as follows: closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in confronted him. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Yes?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable you in your example." relief. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in http://www.gutenberg.net these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It was an hour's good drive." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant one or two very singular points about this room. For example, know all about it," he snarled. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, think, you have already met." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to take care of herself." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" out of this horrible affair."