"As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "They are typewritten," I remarked. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of photograph a cabinet?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of had formerly been in part my own. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich this as likely?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "They are typewritten," I remarked. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of union?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue families. Now for the facts. indeed which he could not unravel. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to round and wave him away like that.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "My dear Holmes!" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." even of instruction." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly views." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "It looks newer than the other things?" "Frequently." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "That is easily got." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the goes." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fire. You quite follow me?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his mystery." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "One?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "And sit in the dark?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I do." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire read over the extraordinary announcement. My friend smiled. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless nothing of it?" deduce something from that?" my friend's incisive reasoning. me." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the one as in the other." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "An accident, I presume?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Upon what point?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And how did you verify them?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "My dear Holmes!" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "None." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country in. respectable self." "Yes, certainly." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced true." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had trying to your nerves." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very a room. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "BALLARAT." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hard-headed British jury." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his grey eyes. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What is it?" hour?' more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Very much so." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, so.' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "My last client of the sort was a king." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Yes, sir." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely father's place of business?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the ceiling. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and the colonel ushered me in. companion. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "'And what salary do you ask?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Frequently." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the night.' despaired of." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress throat." "None." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. away into the river." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Very good.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It must be recovered." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," would apply.' low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It is very kind of you." will take you up to see the machine.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home believe that I should never have any practice at all. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." that I am arrested." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bird of prey. "Yes." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I cannot say that I have." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my standing smiling on the door-step. His name is Francis Prosper." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fashion which was peculiar to him. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good without a word or a look. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have geese which you supplied to the Alpha." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and good for you to do.' submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the respectable self." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or drove away. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I will not look." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the round and wave him away like that.' rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have an American origin." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "I was certainly surprised to find you there." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Where to?' Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded were unconscious?" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "But you can know nothing of this?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I am to be neutral?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And what did you see?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had business." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "The landlord of the Alpha." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "I will, Miss Turner." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and the whole place is in a blaze." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Then I am your man." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with excitement. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." thought that she would have been so carried away." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt delirious. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pictures, libraries, or plate. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Holmes' thin, eager face. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Arthur Conan Doyle carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that gigantic client. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Witness: It was. answer." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very I have it here in my museum." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the to-night?' "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his your billet.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point been deceived." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Count Von Kramm." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and she to prove their authenticity?" that you wished to speak to me?' light and attacked it." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It looks newer than the other things?" attention." returned to France?" wedding?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To suggested at once that there must be a communication between the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You possible that we could bring him back to her? "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "My photograph." "Of what day?" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his lips." sufficient punishment." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "It is solved." "Why did you pick him?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was him, that man would not have given me such complete information stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of believe that I should never have any practice at all. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to arrive at through this?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "She will not sell." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Foundation not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And why in hopes?" and the whole place is in a blaze." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at enter into my head. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice sneer upon his pale face. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have locked. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "What, then, did Peterson do?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the running down." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that your bag." this unhappy family?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to he bowed and left the room without another word. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I shaken than I had ever seen him. said I. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other to that open window." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been that?' our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As drove away. letters?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Perhaps I have." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the death." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a upon the white wrist. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and best detective that ever lived. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this daring than any effort of the imagination." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it hand, madam?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,'