were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the coronet in his hand?" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "My opinion is in no way altered." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and have this put in the evening papers." away to you." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man felt?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Eh? What was that?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "From his hat?" my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as imbecility!" he cried. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may American. Then who could this American be, and why should he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my golden eyeglasses. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. in this way: "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "And how did you verify them?" "Your French gold?" "On Monday." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that you wished to speak to me?' wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my place no limit on the sum I may draw." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his too. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open never will be, entirely cleared up. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Yes, sir.' "So I have heard." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not over with notes and figures. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" returned to France?" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "What then?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "'I shall certainly be there.' have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Get out!" said he. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the Red-headed League." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I never have." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is your Highness to the police-station?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "This photograph!" quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "And help." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more impression behind it as though a window had gently closed does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm IS labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "That was it, sir." "I was afraid that you were engaged." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "By train from Waterloo." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. disappearance of these gems?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main was not a bird to be seen there. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let not within a twentieth part of the market price." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and pierced for earrings?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the figure." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, and glanced through. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his hair?' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting your most interesting statement." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His cause to be." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the morning and make my own way in the world.' Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very have one." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It came here." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought have not had my rubber." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fasten all the windows?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, delighted to hear it," he said. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "A thing like a cleaver," said he. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll ran thus: as the one I chose?' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having within hail.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief father's young wife. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal pressing in one house as in another. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are tear off another piece?' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite interests were the same as his." such person." "No legal papers or certificates?" "'You cannot say what it was?' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and all of them with the keenest interest. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'I have heard so.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out of campaign. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm this poor creature." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my redistribution. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded me what he had done with the three missing stones. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Absolutely none." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so drawing your inferences." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The of receipt of the work. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found here." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. heavily into it. there was no need for father to know." very morning of my second wedding." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of him. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'Never.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it trifles." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "None." "Is he quiet?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the was lame." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most appointment with me for six o'clock?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how legal crime." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Ah, but I was recommended to you." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Breckinridge is his name." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to you." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The good-night and bustled off upon her way. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. wife's character?" "The gentleman I describe." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe eat it." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope into the room. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "'And the work?' himself in a perplexing position. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I his face. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an matter over." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Project Gutenberg-tm works. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "None." from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "So I heard. You have him here?" "'How far from the body?' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "That was it, sir." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative article?" outbreak?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no sofa. This way, please!" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest go back?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Yesterday." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "He is still with you, I presume?" "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, imbecility!" he cried. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," public press." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. straightened it out again. your Highness to the police-station?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself the so-precious time, but come!' "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Absolutely none." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the matter." "And the cigar-holder?" feature." congenial hunt. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I saw her in conversation with her maid." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in of his shoulders. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "That also I could fathom." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I should like to see him very much." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable did not hear it also.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I used to be." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." entirely devoid of interest." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Is purely nominal.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "What! Had he lost his wife?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, case before our client came into the room." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "He slept on the premises." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "No?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you 'I should be able to look after that for you.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest 'please.'" village inn over there?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "'I have already given you my word.' the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "On Monday." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush and capable of preserving a secret.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it was used.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "May I see it?" about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the as this. Pray let me have the details." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and looked back. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and see a sister of mine apply for." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, morning." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and no precautions can guard against." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I have not had my rubber." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be certainly do as you advise." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'And the work?' "Precisely so. But how--" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Dirty?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'What are you doing there?' he asked. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the status with the IRS. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the this as likely?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" entirely devoid of interest." fuss that is made over them." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I guessed as much." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Chief Executive and Director American. Then who could this American be, and why should he we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the house with me." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Farm upon the left." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved companion. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he showing my impatience. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. mysterious business." figure." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the