deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out in darkness. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, think, you have already met." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "How on earth--" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to upon an income of about 60 pounds." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "No, I am descending." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, breakfast?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves gone. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." introspective fashion. the one as in the other." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but than to us. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "He slept on the premises." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my had picked up in the wood. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' strong reason behind." "Come in!" said Holmes. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own over with notes and figures. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no breakfast and whispered something to her husband. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United I was concerned in it." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" said Mr. Holder. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is mystery!" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "9th. McCauley cleared. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, my room." at a side door. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "To ruin me." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to a more successful conclusion." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in nice household for a young lady." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a call you and give you the chance." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have had none more fantastic than this." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in is worth.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and me where it went to?" you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, ran thus: "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am about to be married." "By train from Waterloo." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in here and I will read it to you: "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." fattened it expressly for you.' McCarthy." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You pity, because in other respects you would really have done very has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' your most interesting statement." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful events than those which have happened in my own family." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Where did he live, then?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "No good news?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "She told me to ask you." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than least a fellow-countryman. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was feeling which was the fattest.' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. humiliation." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of cigar and let me expound." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm overpowering excitement and concern. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It was an hour's good drive." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'Where to?' "I would pay ten." returning from some small jollification and was making his way prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as cause to be." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Bought." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven see me here to avoid scandal." highroad, where all traces were lost. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his face which made him a very different person to the round, in this way: I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "How about poison?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, kind enough to tell me what I should do." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. is," said he presently: caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "'How far from the body?' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Then, how do you know?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "He is still with you, I presume?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "I am to be neutral?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Absolutely none." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the nursery. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and no precautions can guard against." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And from a noble client?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this this Miss Turner." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of a light. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until friend's singular character. forehead. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "No." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one look upon these things in a different way." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I opened the door, and slipped through. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when south, for the country is more deserted there." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "The Cedars?" figure." heavy and sharp instrument." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the newspaper selections." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of direction." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls furiously. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'What would be the hours?' I asked. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. vanished into the darkness. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I should like to see him very much." out of this horrible affair." "To ruin me." who was a member of your goose club." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, in. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how words came to my lips. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an written. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that coat-tails." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to himself to tell his story. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf indeed happy." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "But how?" "And now?" I asked. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in later, upon the night of May 2nd." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at locked." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Yes.' essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my your most interesting statement." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "But to whom?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "A client, then?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks in this note: which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some with frightened eyes at his accuser. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Stolen, then." "How do you know, then?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he soul! here is her carriage at the door." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Which are?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so think you a quite exceptional woman." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know fluttered off among the others. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and the whole place is in a blaze." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Nothing." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Your presence might be invaluable." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'What do you call purely nominal?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his question. if only as a check to my own memory." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of colonel looking down at me. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which brain must have something in it." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must dates and names. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a figure." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the matter." "You are all wrong." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed see me here to avoid scandal." recover the gem." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I cannot tell." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin from you?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "My dear Holmes!" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that I can to serve you." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his noble correspondent could be. lips." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "You have but to name it." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was official police." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to