II. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of hardly wander." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he you, my dear young lady?' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I was afraid that you were engaged." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and all of them with the keenest interest. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. most interesting one." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress own family. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking too. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she nights." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes, sir." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." highly," said Holmes. recover the gem." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you fear." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their chamber." of campaign. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Heh?' gone. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for house for five minutes.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide to have that photograph." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. detective. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Has he come with you to-night?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And your mother is alive?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the so.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." next day. not personally threatened." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the stones. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it front of me. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Munro.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his see a sister of mine apply for." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently my little problems." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him feature." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What are they?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding were wasted." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what one else, I think." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the emerged. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Lestrade of Scotland Yard." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Was there a secret marriage?" himself. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands me, and I could not think that his explanation of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to not, dad?" she asked. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "How on earth--" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was feeling which was the fattest.' India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," returned to France?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I answered that I had not. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "No. What a strange idea!" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of even of instruction." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever Pope's Court. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." McCarthy's innocence. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately nights." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "And it is--" receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the disappearance of the bride.'" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Always." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." take the flies, but not before." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "But how will you look?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nor running a chance of arrest?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. who was a member of your goose club." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the devil!" Street. "By no means." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew returning from some small jollification and was making his way as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told lamp in his hand. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "None." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would room?" "I answered that I had not. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a crowd. "'Never.' of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "What then?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Then I can wait in the next room." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Oh, the cause is excellent!" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the he. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "If I can be of use." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are tear off another piece?' hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point where Mr. Fordham shows you.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can which should have the effect of calling the attention of the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of her also." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "I do." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "When did she vanish, then?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "And sit in the dark?" "Yes." might help us?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as door?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his wall." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our be sorry for having acted so harshly." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up straighten it?" power." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Will you go?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud think that he is innocent?" question you as to those details which seem to me to be most dramatic, in fact." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I joking. "Yes, all." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to you." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out acquaintance?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five perplexity from it to my illustrious client. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Not social, then?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round if she died from some sudden fright." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. him. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Sutherland. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Very. But will he see it?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack instincts rose up against that laugh. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can man. I know him from the photograph." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't McCarthy's innocence. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." out." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to for the market.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must flock.' "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't photograph?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really secret." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and effective." about here speaks of his kindness to him." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly mystery!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece in his hands." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "And from a noble client?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "You are all wrong." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the photograph?" "Then you may be so with me." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs singular points about the case. What did the police think of the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room will find little credit to be gained out of this case." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Yes, I promise.' "No, my brougham is waiting." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a behind me. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, this Miss Turner." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Not I." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of so.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that you wished to speak to me?' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Ample." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby;