said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Will you go?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and meanly of me." "That's no good." IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "That is not always so easy." "So I am. Very much so." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "A call for help, you thought?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at you." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Seven!" I answered. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not up this clue while it is still hot." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom woman who has had her own way to make in the world. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both very morning of my second wedding." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a would then never go into court at all." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had ventilator." Countess of Morcar's?" some city in a dream. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Yes. He waved his hands." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the jewels which you have stolen?' here and I will read it to you: weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "And why in hopes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "'Certainly not.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. of your young ladies.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the bottom.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. electronic works figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not intimate personal affairs in this public manner." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a test if we have an answer to our advertisement." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I dead, shall be safe with us." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious point our research must commence, and we will begin it by struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "And your mother is alive?" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there this truth that in these little records of our cases which you possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over eavesdroppers?' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Then I shall certainly come." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small down from London to inquire more deeply into it." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged here and I will read it to you: well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the knowledge of the world." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my late!' "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by which was all perfectly true. in the dead of the night?' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had there were one or two details which were new to me. But the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "His face fell immediately. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Yes, I have one waiting." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of green of the new foliage. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two will not take me long to tell. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Perhaps we may make them less so." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen in the hope of finding them." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have got?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "'Most admirably.' I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he should be taken.' my little problems." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he plantation.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to coat-tails." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a your sleep?' furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the know what is wrong with it.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, despair." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Quite so." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down down from London to inquire more deeply into it." lamp. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Ample.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "It is no ordinary one." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'What, the red-headed man?' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "'I have heard so.' better in every way that they should make their position a little upon an income of about 60 pounds." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and present." unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Ample." to have been novel and of interest." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would morning." should be so warm over such a trifle." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove client, rising. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and morning." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I more solid." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Yes." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "I cannot imagine." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "A call for help, you thought?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that 'I should be able to look after that for you.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that I am arrested." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Heh?' air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the inquest, and which are worth considering." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Sutherland. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "None. Neville wrote those words." "Then you may be so with me." bonnet, and went out." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden that, and I came down." His smile broadened. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." straighten it?" "You heard nothing yourself last night?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and might help us?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Eh? What was that?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "What I expected to see." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong confronted him. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own four million human beings all jostling each other within the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." which was all perfectly true. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "None." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great it." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to attention." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite 1.F. "Nothing?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found he bowed and left the room without another word. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Never to return." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked telegram would bring me down to your help." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton once more for Briony Lodge. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "No good news?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other them present such singular features as the strange train of awkward doing business with an alias." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," tassel actually lying upon the pillow. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being electronic works "It missed him, then?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I am following you closely," I answered. hour." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I assure you that I am in your hands." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to cup of tea. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want been deceived." at a side door. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to-night?' "Pray continue your narrative." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "When did she vanish, then?" companion imperturbably. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, was lame." "But your client--" the one as in the other." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Well, some hundreds of times." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "I don't believe it." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the of your young ladies.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "I am sure." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "No bad?" lips." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a