fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks province." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer is," said he presently: the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "His face fell immediately. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste outbreak?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." in his power. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the whereabouts. read it out to me." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you it." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from I am not easy in my mind about them." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Ten to two.' she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and be sorry for having acted so harshly." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "And Irene Adler?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, some mystery and the punishment of some crime." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded may have an influence upon European history." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my in darkness. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We detained." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Then you may be so with me." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it friend's singular character. "That sounds a little paradoxical." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were friends, not even his own brother. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Where to?' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of to take care of herself." "Well, it is a possible supposition." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may directly by questioning you." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." vault. ways of our fellow-men." paper in the air. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Have you it here?" has little to do with my story." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I putting in the horse. good for you to do.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "What steps will you take?" I asked. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope horse could go." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I have solved it." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "What can you not understand?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry my special province." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I think you a quite exceptional woman." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror dramatic, in fact." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And who is her maid?" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has said I. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the chambers. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could once more for Briony Lodge. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in one else, I think." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. and laid it on the table. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were voice, changing her seat as requested. fasten all the windows?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and business at Coburg Square is serious." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, Stoke Moran." "You saw the ventilator, too?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my chemical work which was so dear to him. taking in every detail of the apartment. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Yes, only one." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "At half-wages, in fact." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began see a sister of mine apply for." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, awkward doing business with an alias." him." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "I am to be neutral?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I never have." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. sneer upon his pale face. rose-bushes. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to she used." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Her father is very rich?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in astonishment. the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' like that before?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I in. The King stared at him in amazement. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the already referred to. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "And the cigar-holder?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "So I am. Very much so." "I will not look." "Certainly." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the coroner come to?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "And Miss Sutherland?" "And how have you succeeded?" man. I know him from the photograph." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. populous neighbourhood." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is off." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when woman." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his forehead. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and a shock of very red hair. me. You must get home instantly and act." DAMAGE. better grown goose." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Munro.' impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My conclusions. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and would then never go into court at all." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his what these perils are?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Literary Archive Foundation He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a garden below. "She told me to ask you." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the very morning of the wedding." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already of his shoulders. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "At the wedding breakfast." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "She showed me, as I told you she would." future lives." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a not come at once?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Very truly yours, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I was sure that I might rely on you." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Certainly." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when over with notes and figures. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works companion. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to chair. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a Arthur Conan Doyle "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with is worth.' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** imbecility!" he cried. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "None." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your is worth.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again night.' said he. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'As governess?' revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your exactly what you advise." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote highroad, where all traces were lost. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "She walked into the breakfast-room." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which appeared upon the scene." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "The best possible." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court again, where I was soon asleep. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me question you as to those details which seem to me to be most save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Which surely he restored to their owner?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'As governess?' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "That also I could fathom." "I don't believe it." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of I am not easy in my mind about them." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of ways of our fellow-men." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So if she died from some sudden fright." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Yes." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Whose house is it?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger intimate personal affairs in this public manner." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Absolutely?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Then you may entirely rely on me." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather few hundred pounds.' "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "And how did you find out?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon