There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "You have carte blanche." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. in his hands." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "How did you trace it, then?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' papers." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian face and glided from the room. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See too. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the him nearly every evening." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I have it here in my museum." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of it with the greatest attention. returned to France?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave bled considerably." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from unprofitable." murdered man." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "It must be recovered." "But your client--" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have an American origin." the house with me." spark where all is dark to me." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the dangers which encompass me." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a your Highness to the police-station?" train.' "Well." gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'There is a drive, then?' the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "I answered that I had not. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "If I can be of use." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the affair. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical away into the river." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many most interesting one." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" over with notes and figures. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the coronet at all injured?" excitement. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of receipt of the work. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "What are they?" status with the IRS. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Tired-looking or fresh?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Mary, has deserted me." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was kindly on the shoulder. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again During two years I have had three consultations and one small about. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what certainly do as you advise." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal joking. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and the side-table." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," unprecedented a position." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "But I have heard all that you have heard." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "And I to find an enemy." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or thin legs towards the fire. during which he might have communicated with his friend the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among call you and give you the chance." formed some opinion?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his to tell." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No ceremony." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I best detective that ever lived. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Nothing." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need discontent upon his features. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present held up the lantern and gazed about him. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Sutherland?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had towards the blaze. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and girl said." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, felt the room to be a little close.' of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the disappearance of these gems?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in not fit the lock." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Ten will be early enough." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, advice." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters are, and they are waiting for us." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in darkness. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the nonsense.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. over part of the map. "What do you read?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My closely." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "He disappeared so suddenly." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do believe that I should never have any practice at all. "But to whom?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just dramatic, in fact." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his redistribution. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, unclasping of his long thin hands. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to-morrow." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my you for a few hours?" Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a orange pips. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Was the window open?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "My dear Holmes!" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you found me to-night--and running through the front room she too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any London for the present?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Then how many are there?" with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. side. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" carpenter." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm details." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one papers on the sundial.'" Farm upon the left." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Why did you pick him?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, it right.' "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "'I have already given you my word.' weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram Heh?' owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Were they all fastened this morning?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." companion imperturbably. "When did she vanish, then?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your what I may call a really hard day's work." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Then I am your man." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Pray continue your narrative." "I have solved it." "I am sure." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "No, I think that I'll take it." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa Again Holmes raved in the air. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "No, but the enclosure is." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than do." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital a very grave face. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" address. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera had formerly been in part my own. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was read it out to me." formed some opinion?" steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates he. better in every way that they should make their position a little however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the south-west, I see." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hurried away. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. what do you think they found in the pockets?" heavily into it. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we salesman. disappearance of the bride.'" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the gbnewby@pglaf.org and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the said he. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "How many? I don't know." as this. Pray let me have the details." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and clanging. observed. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the inquest, and which are worth considering." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup tassel actually lying upon the pillow. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged there when the Rucastles went away." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in good-night and bustled off upon her way. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm and files of the old papers, following the future career of every best detective that ever lived. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project eavesdroppers?' friends, not even his own brother. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read there were one or two details which were new to me. But the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Yes, from Horsham." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life."