would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "A greater distance to travel." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those I took the paper from him and read as follows: until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the meant." "No legal papers or certificates?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Again Holmes raved in the air. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "By no means." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I crime. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and chamber." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he crowd. "You did not overhear what they said?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. read it out to me." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to affect your life." back alive. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence brain must have something in it." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up existence." here." washing it down with a long draught of water. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No legal papers or certificates?" waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "It is solved." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the during that time.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "I am to be neutral?" said I. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "You are all wrong." her also." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I down. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "No legal papers or certificates?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Quite so." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. interests were the same as his." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Just look it up, then." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was http://www.gutenberg.net thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal see me here to avoid scandal." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what words came to my lips. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes rather sternly. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I awkward doing business with an alias." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you tell me that you intended to go into harness." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any yourselves in at night?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. possible that we could bring him back to her? "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to that open window." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Then the page we have seen--" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to What do you deduce from it?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from before the coroner and the police-court." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable companion imperturbably. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds became a certainty. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "'Most admirably.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was obstinate." interests were the same as his." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one you, my dear young lady?' that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with for securing the situation." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. putting in the horse. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "10th. John Swain cleared. Heh?' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "To an English lawyer named Norton." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned read over the extraordinary announcement. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he enough to aid us in our search." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess she to prove their authenticity?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that without success. At last the little money which I had saved began her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking quickly through a disagreeable task. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, arrangements." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed flock.' and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "You think that he is dead?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously national property. I was determined that the law should have its solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "But how will you look?" "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "No, finished." "Well?" "Then how many are there?" very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Proceed, then." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his you?' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "Certainly." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. have not had my rubber." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't other means.' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "You have but to name it." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in himself to hunt down. realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, distinctly professional." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes. He waved his hands." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery him, that man would not have given me such complete information than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and all of them with the keenest interest. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had with you alone." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "It missed him, then?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," evidence," I remarked. might have a private word with us. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he held up the lantern and gazed about him. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and may have an influence upon European history." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Yes, that is the Crown." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally My friend smiled. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I shall continue with my miserable story. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, your sleep?' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Project Gutenberg-tm works. Holmes." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Yes." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door had died away into the silence from which it rose. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "You know me, then?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I think that I had better go, Holmes." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "What steps will you take?" I asked. papers must be those that are destroyed.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the bottom.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "No, my brougham is waiting." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. see a sister of mine apply for." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Precisely." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular shoulder. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my extraordinary contortions. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some passage and a tap at the door. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists wall." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And what did you see?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." occurred." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me think that he is innocent?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into she used." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon became a certainty. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I do." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his sit on the left-hand side of the driver." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I cannot imagine." started for the Temple to see my husband. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Not in the least." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known his forehead." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both wedding?" "None. Neville wrote those words." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'It is locked up,' I answered. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the conduct the inquiry." examine." you for a few hours?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled here." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong keep the flames under. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What will you say?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading it." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Proceed, then." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. my former friend and companion. three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. o'clock is it?" his wife has ceased to love him." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the with you?" security.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the south-west, I see." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "No, thank goodness, she did not." and glanced through. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and shall not find me ungrateful." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; pierced for earrings?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very prove to be little relation between the different incidents of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite as the one I chose?' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "How did that help you?"