hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the if I call to-morrow?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. passage and a tap at the door. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said round with crates and massive boxes. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in one or two places in England?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best never to learn it at all." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my never will be, entirely cleared up. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." developed." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child to-night's adventure." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "He slept on the premises." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I cannot think." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You don't mind breaking the law?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' I am not easy in my mind about them." "Where is it, then?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure of campaign. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias opportunities to fix the problem. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp wedding?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the points to suicide?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." case-book, which he consulted. appeal." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "What of the rat, then?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be wedding?" acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already there has been an enclosure here!" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Where could I find him?' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Well." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was your troubles." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough overpowering excitement and concern. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and to change my dress. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." most interesting one." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as fasten all the windows?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "It looks newer than the other things?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom which it had come upon my father." "'Oh, no.' cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass breakfast?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted tell them apart.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his outsides of the windows. such attractions and accomplishments?' eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you." charged with?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your room had already been engaged for us. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I cannot tell." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "He might." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend papers must be those that are destroyed.' for the market.' "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken voice, changing her seat as requested. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." see me here to avoid scandal." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for will he say when he returns?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the the Red-headed League." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and will be renamed. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there door?" directly by questioning you." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I was certainly surprised to find you there." could gather together that I was able to avert another public II. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "What!" he roared. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no you came in." looking up at the numbers of the houses." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Absolutely none." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, hereditary King of Bohemia." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the fire. You quite follow me?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a good hundred miles off by now." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. followed. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which in his power. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed had picked up in the wood. place no limit on the sum I may draw." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "'Certainly not. But why?' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. be.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of extraordinary contortions. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I have my revolver," said I. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I fait accompli?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Absolutely?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Sutherland. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I see many objections to any such theory." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right suggested at once that there must be a communication between the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his sneer upon his pale face. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Very much so." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those will find little credit to be gained out of this case." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his absorbing." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Holmes' face clouded over. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the before the coroner and the police-court." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." you?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." to his chemical studies. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It works. See paragraph 1.E below. people don't know." upon the shelf for the interim." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Holmes' face clouded over. this man was intellectual?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room distinguish the words: to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "We were both in the photograph." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' works. See paragraph 1.E below. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great secret." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, your Highness to the police-station?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he me have 200 pounds?' putting in the horse. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are indeed happy." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "You forget that I know nothing about it." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He upon an income of about 60 pounds." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. from the brougham. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were has little to do with my story." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely be. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is For additional contact information: direction." the stones. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Here?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose matter over." "Certainly." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic followed. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. detained." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "This photograph!" "None. Neville wrote those words." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You think so, too?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the through." "Well, some hundreds of times." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I this Miss Turner." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "No, but the enclosure is." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it guilty one." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" McCarthy's innocence. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark bird I ate is country bred." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It is possible." "How can you tell that?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or digesting their breakfasts at home." people in all walks of life. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Upon what point?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to you for a few hours?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution side. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he had formerly been in part my own. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the been with you?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Of Friday, June 19th." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "'I am sure if I had known--' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. chill to my heart. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Where could I find him?' that you saw all that I did." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fasten all the windows?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "We must have a cab." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or seen the man in the road." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, this poor creature." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your