of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the general public were present, then?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a was used.' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the shoulder; "he's all right." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Where did you address your letters, then?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few tail." had a long day." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "In heaven's name, what for?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed newspaper selections." make me his representative both with the servants and with the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. just called myself is not exactly my own." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the what is your own theory as to what took place?" might help us?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of about. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set strength." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a cigars in their mouths. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "ARAT," I read. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern how narrow had been my escape. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I joking. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her good for you to do.' "Imitated." me what he had done with the three missing stones. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, intrusion of other matters." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs your own bird, so if you wish--" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a present." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story asked with his eyes open. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under in his power. "How on earth--" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. voice. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "But your client--" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or know all about it," he snarled. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and the church but not where the lady lived." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Just look it up, then." you give your casting vote to?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found was keenly on my guard against him. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the with you alone." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop that you can jump it.' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hands. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end visitors." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Was the window open?" Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was matter over." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, new acquaintance to Baker Street. must compliment you." the coroner come to?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Quite so. She has her freedom." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is no ordinary one." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Oh, the cause is excellent!" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, about here speaks of his kindness to him." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fluttered off among the others. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "No." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong questioning and rather startled gaze. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I don't believe it." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my me." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and morning." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you and wait." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "No, I am descending." "Then I am your man." "'Then let me do so?' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is which our visitor detailed to us. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & hard-headed British jury." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his bedroom door." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an tied." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to fasten all the windows?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room chill to my heart. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case do.' remarked. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I am all attention, madam." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the compunction about shooting them down." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "You saw the ventilator, too?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I was sure that I might rely on you." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "By all means." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would if I call to-morrow?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the window, rose as we entered. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer impression behind it as though a window had gently closed bare slabs of marble. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which burst out into a roar of laughter. unprofitable." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey used to be." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a gone. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I have a cab outside." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice made him keep the appointment." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of business matters.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I am to be neutral?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "In the cells." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally locked. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? was it brought him the coronet? carpenter." This is what he says: creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us conclusions. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "What do you mean?" he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to tackle the facts." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the astonishment. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as to tell." back to my heart. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, be sorry for having acted so harshly." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. think, you have already met." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called sooner or later she must fall a victim. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Which dealer's?' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event read it out to me." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would were wasted." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "The vanishing of the lady." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Stoke Moran?" said he. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but indiscretion." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner four million human beings all jostling each other within the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Only as much as we can deduce." maiden herself was most instructive." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to acquaintance?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the flock.' "'Yes, it was gone.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "The gentleman I describe." are, and they are waiting for us." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Yes." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which sufficient punishment." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she minor matters until to-morrow." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and are windows in it, of course?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no go back?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or question," said Holmes, smiling. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "And from a noble client?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, is four-and-twenty." Stoke Moran." enter Dr. Roylott's room." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I was sure that I might rely on you." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend annoyance, but no jest. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "No bad?" your troubles." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some himself. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily will not take me long to tell. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But how?" hardly wander." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I would give my fortune to have them back." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. writers could invent nothing more crude." hardly wander." "I will, Miss Turner." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor nothing with him." strong reason behind." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with