the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' behind me. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a companion. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Witness: I must still refuse. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Then the page we have seen--" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that time." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place points in connection with it which never have been, and probably trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought drawing your inferences." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Deserted you?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "No bad?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." strong reason behind." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. his grey eyes. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and I shall be with you presently." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much weighed down with some great anxiety. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too and files of the old papers, following the future career of every my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations test if we have an answer to our advertisement." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "What is it, then--a fire?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite morning." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "And Miss Sutherland?" strength." "Yes, it would be as well." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have got?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I am armed." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I was certainly surprised to find you there." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such back alive. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, persecution?" come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I think it very unlikely." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Yes, that is the Crown." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some over with notes and figures. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the through." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I tell him that I know him to be innocent." neither fascinating nor artistic." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and laid it on the table. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Were they all fastened this morning?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a I shall communicate with you." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself fishes. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." society." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before and a shock of very red hair. colonel looking down at me. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The Cedars?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Then what has happened to him?" carpenter." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg digesting their breakfasts at home." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few case-book, which he consulted. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or back to my heart. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and absorbing." burst out into a roar of laughter. pressing in one house as in another. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had more solid." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then you may be so with me." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall ran thus: that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, business in the City. She little knew what. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for go--none." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "What shall I do?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "I don't say that. Perhaps." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from upon the sideboard." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "No, I am descending." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp one's self under obligations.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "My stepfather's business papers." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Deserted you?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I said Mr. Holder. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the open." "'I am sure if I had known--' "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Where, then, is my wife?" away into the river." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly and no precautions can guard against." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute learned something! Where are the gems?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "'And the work?' twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & there in twenty minutes." crowd. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "But who is he?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the was used.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists footfalls from the street. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing her also." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "She showed me, as I told you she would." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at his fortune, and I went back to pa. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are writing, and yet I know it well." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and your relations to her." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by him to be an active member of the medical profession." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain recall any case within my experience which looked at the first have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached the one as in the other." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I promise," said Holmes. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "My private note-paper." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how depend upon my doing so.' "Dr. Becher's." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of the way of danger. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "My dear Holmes!" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. through." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "I have come for advice." "I am sure." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'How far from the body?' Eyford at 11:15.' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the nursery. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm so.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the trifles." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You will not go there first?" "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Nor running a chance of arrest?" simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "I see no marks." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of to take care of herself." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "If so, much may have happened between." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before upon the sideboard." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It written. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an second." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the warnings." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You guilty parties." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted shoulder. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as this. Pray let me have the details." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the and I shall be with you presently." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he within hail.' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may were unconscious?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You will not go there first?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter recover the gem." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our gigantic client. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Yes, he did." "'And the work?' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and against a man in the prime of life?" ventilator." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will will be renamed. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter gentleman's clothes. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "But how?" her also." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "You have a clue?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "This concluded the examination of the witness." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional could not account in any way for the presence of the missing I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Where does the thing come from?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or ourselves in the office." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into into the bag, and made for the door. had formerly been in part my own. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work south, for the country is more deserted there." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. about. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very you found me to-night--and running through the front room she week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. coroner's jury." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I was a perfect sample of the class. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and photograph?" among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "I cannot imagine." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hereditary King of Bohemia." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "And is that all?" "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left said I. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "This photograph!"