"Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. manager. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no correct than the official force." "In what way?" asked Holmes. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the respectable self." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great minor matters until to-morrow." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have what is your own theory as to what took place?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "How on earth--" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up tension within him. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Where did he live, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but child?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious my secret was safe in his possession. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my shoulder. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "But I am all in the dark." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the were wasted." address. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," and the whole place is in a blaze." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, minor matters until to-morrow." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "But who is he?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the Red-headed League." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a even so self-evident a thing as that." "'Where could I find him?' "Was there a secret marriage?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing acted in my house last night?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own very peculiar words of the dying woman?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Then how many are there?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Very. But will he see it?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "No, my brougham is waiting." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother your bag." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be His smile broadened. gbnewby@pglaf.org me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'I am sure that I do not know.' and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has in a very precise fashion." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, nonsense.' in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "In answer to an advertisement." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from dramatic, in fact." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the coronet at all injured?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the side-table." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Imitated." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "That is easily got." such person." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been your bag." "Nothing." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Yes, at the mines." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and no precautions can guard against." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" be. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural three of the beryls in it, was missing. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the them, and came down just as you departed. "You forget that I know nothing about it." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "In the cells." "A greater distance to travel." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'And the work?' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I note?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "An accident, I presume?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood passage and a tap at the door. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to wedding?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land The King stared at him in amazement. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that own family. "And how?" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, your troubles." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the foresight and the moral retrogression?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident electronic works ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One for its centre. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as written. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and weighed down with some great anxiety. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to you?' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You think so, too?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned where we are going." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. train.' "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Yes, certainly." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving fait accompli?" "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And for present expenses?" "Ah!" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I criminal. We have already had experience of such." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the gone. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Chief Executive and Director but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general as the one I chose?' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." dear old homesteads?" "How did he come?" carriage. It was a chestnut." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical over here." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Not I." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "The gentleman I describe." annoyance, but no jest. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your enough to aid us in our search." "'I have heard so.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "But how will you look?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as could go. front of me. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I shall communicate with you." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what gives a meaning to it." "Perhaps I have." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the Red-headed League." read it out to me." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of galvanised. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand purpose equally well?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, examine." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, matters immensely." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their reach." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'I am sure that I do not know.' never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the carriage. It was a chestnut." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his young Openshaw's." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. formed some opinion?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his touch that coronet?' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry pictures, libraries, or plate. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I a monotonous occupation." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing hour?' about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm these bleak autumnal evenings." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found national property. I was determined that the law should have its part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I province." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My undoubtedly my uncle's." "I am following you closely," I answered. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in how narrow had been my escape. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "One?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "No." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a dead, shall be safe with us." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "A thing like a cleaver," said he. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "I shall be delighted." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal weapon." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of the way of danger. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, future lives." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He there when the Rucastles went away." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I am armed." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said only touch the interest." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are on in his house." have I gained?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel!