"He is dead," cried several voices. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he comes from the middle window." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and shall not find me ungrateful." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly nights." "'A dozen yards or so.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be of the way of danger. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, I am not easy in my mind about them." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the coroner come to?" desk. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very felt the room to be a little close.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and it need not interfere very much with one's other and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and point in the dark hollow of his hand. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the digesting their breakfasts at home." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, your co-operation." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I results." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "But you have hopes?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Certainly." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "But his lameness?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Gutenberg-tm License. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "At what time?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'And what salary do you ask?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his face. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is clang of the bell. walking." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. ventilator." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, spare." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "In what way?" asked Holmes. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and hour?' "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Lee, in the county of Kent." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Precisely." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she your most interesting statement." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he at my own good fortune. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "No?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "But she could not love him." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." helping a boy to put up the shutters. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, upon the shelf for the interim." "You have carte blanche." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the tragedy. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Holmes rather sternly. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in to-night?" I asked. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose posted to-day." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "But she will refuse." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Will you go?" adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered had no one to advise her at such a crisis." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in I. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "To ruin me." at a side door. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress indeed happy." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, chamber." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere laugh and put his lips to my ear. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Serpentine Avenue. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my whether it answered to the description of any of their bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "And I to find an enemy." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the once more for Briony Lodge. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "When did she vanish, then?" I am not easy in my mind about them." "Can I be of assistance?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It was." "None." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the mysterious business." "Did he not advertise?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. I approached. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should photograph?" and it need not interfere very much with one's other direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" question," said Holmes, smiling. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Precisely." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "In which, sir?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before walking." felt the room to be a little close.' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows residence of the great financier. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a fluttered off among the others. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It is possible." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Have you her photograph?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed you." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you is a common subject for conversation. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "How did you trace it, then?" come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and you." It may be so in this case, also." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for obstinate." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, deduce something from that?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left showing my impatience. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is allusion to a rat. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the it with his own hands." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "No, I am descending." residence of the great financier. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he chill to my heart. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "But who is he?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had wall." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his someone who had been in Australia." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some point in the dark hollow of his hand. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how danger is over." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to his face which made him a very different person to the round, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I have hopes." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" second." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "And why in hopes?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She hands. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who your equipment. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this call you and give you the chance." and all of them with the keenest interest. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a be sorry for having acted so harshly." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Absolutely none." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure awaited us upon the table. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. hour." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me chamber." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the bachelor.' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'Which dealer's?' the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional with her." girl said." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Oh, yes, easily." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That spare." "But what is it you wish?" upon the sideboard." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two had died away into the silence from which it rose. think you a quite exceptional woman." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the King without delay." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I Street. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You have compromised yourself seriously." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a mysterious business." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect morning." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "And how have you succeeded?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" recover the gem." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Was your sister dressed?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his empty. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I for its centre. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our results." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we woman." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes shoulder; "he's all right." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." humiliation." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to me. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "In heaven's name, what for?" them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your attention." "I cannot imagine." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the nursery. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of she might be summoned. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and returning from some small jollification and was making his way mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and guilty parties." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "They are typewritten," I remarked. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I what these perils are?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'Stolen!' he cried.