depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "But we can't all be." society." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I see many objections to any such theory." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive delighted to hear it," he said. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It was." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. you." himself to hunt down. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it undoubtedly my uncle's." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are prepare for the new role I have to play." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the strong reason behind." hands. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': http://gutenberg.net/license). "Was she in good spirits?" what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Why serious?" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both anything to do with the matter?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which paper in the air. at a side door. "Very. But will he see it?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Cross for the Continent." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." business?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall if only as a check to my own memory." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I am following you closely," I answered. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those would then never go into court at all." "But she will refuse." points to suicide?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "But what is it you wish?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "How did that help you?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" went to the Alpha were town bred." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'Never,' said I. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "He might." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his fortune, and I went back to pa. place no limit on the sum I may draw." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who gigantic client. business came to an end." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'How far from the body?' It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard man. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that I held the little printed slip to the light. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in details." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to observed. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week humiliation." "Well?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather of the vacancies.' to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." John Swain, of St. Augustine. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong reach." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to money should be paid at once.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he least a most suspicious remark." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Clair, of Lee." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved your bag." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. less than 26s. 4d. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' noise which awoke you from your sleep?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the one as in the other." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some believe that I should never have any practice at all. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, power." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down question. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another fatally injured? There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes, all." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And you don't know his address?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be come either from the window or the door. My attention was tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect lost his Christmas dinner." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, least a most suspicious remark." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all stood on the top of it. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. 'please.'" subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his not as remarkable as your advertisement." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Was the window open?" true." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, your only hope of safety." nonsense.' she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on acted in my house last night?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lee, in the county of Kent." "Then you may be so with me." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the felt?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "But she could not love him." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. them?" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office all that?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "None." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Pray continue your narrative." may have an influence upon European history." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found miles off. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he second." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That plantation.' hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "But I have heard all that you have heard." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost have accepted such a situation. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "9th. McCauley cleared. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." business matters.' paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Dirty?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst introspective fashion. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Never.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. character. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg His name is Francis Prosper." particular state visit http://pglaf.org this man was intellectual?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. business came to an end." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it introspective fashion. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off character. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "And your father? Did you tell him?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his tightly behind him. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able tension within him. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass until night should bring an explanation. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in him to be an active member of the medical profession." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "In heaven's name, what for?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Not particularly." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the into the bag, and made for the door. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. shoulder. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you in your example." these bleak autumnal evenings." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the companion quietly. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with But Holmes shook his head gravely. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Countess of Morcar's?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has results." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to existence." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in your London, you will know that the office of the company is Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." to a more successful conclusion." been deceived." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you power." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In time." "Certainly." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at eat it." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "You are hungry," I remarked. it were putty." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the night.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet cigars in their mouths. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "My photograph." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a upon the sideboard." on in his house." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the crime." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "How many? I don't know." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the exactly what you advise." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what bonnet, and went out." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Nearly eleven." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. views." "One?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had believe that I should never have any practice at all. tell me that you intended to go into harness." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'Why that?' I asks. "Never." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a where we are going." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss such person." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Yes, that is the Crown." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual if only as a check to my own memory." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for your most interesting statement." like gravel from a pit.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, imbecility!" he cried. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my beyond words. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Pray continue your narrative." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of the way of danger. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the