still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, morning." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Never." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "I guessed as much." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as for its centre. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to paper in the air. about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. approach us with offers to donate. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "No more words. Get out!" little trying to do so much typewriting?" meanly of me." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is himself to hunt down. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "This photograph!" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "It is solved." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never ago." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" you for a few hours?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for easy-going way." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and laid it on the table. companion imperturbably. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and or other trace. But how on earth--" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "He disappeared so suddenly." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been trifles." should be taken.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hopeless attempt at recovering them." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "He slept on the premises." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they main points of my analysis." these bleak autumnal evenings." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'I have heard so.' and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even dead, shall be safe with us." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her results." "VIOLET HUNTER." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." over here." gone. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in indiscretion." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "You have carte blanche." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But what will you do?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper fatally injured? these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I have solved it." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in one or two places in England?' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried his eyes and forehead. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you may have an influence upon European history." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "I assure you that I am in your hands." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further is," said he presently: "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I on re-entering her father's house?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Eyford at 11:15.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." away to you." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. where she found matters as described by the last witness. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the stones. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "About a month then." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which these bleak autumnal evenings." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Watson," he said cordially. "I know where it is." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. a very grave face. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "My dear Holmes!" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Eyford at 11:15.' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." side. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an get the tickets." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the character. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "And leave your case unfinished?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "We must have a cab." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Yes, sir." indiscretion." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, few hundred pounds.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of may never be exposed to such a temptation." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. to tell." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down coat-tails." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the stable lane now." him and tried to hold him back. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You forget that I know nothing about it." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At unkempt, staring out at me. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or him, that man would not have given me such complete information off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I don't believe it." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to you." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "In San Francisco, a year ago." written, and locked the door of the office after me. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of corner of the building. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it next day. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, writing, and yet I know it well." "To ruin me." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the as he remarks, very much against the son." stepfather?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the purpose equally well?" putting in the horse. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between get her out of the way." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then once more. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had woman who has had her own way to make in the world. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & she to prove their authenticity?" sneer upon his pale face. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the any more." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which point our research must commence, and we will begin it by I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I came to find a friend." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "And what then?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Very truly yours, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Not social, then?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Eyford." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "And how did he make his money?" used to be." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the next day. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King throat." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at envelope. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "You don't mind breaking the law?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. my room." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, when you have done it." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies all?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of outbreak?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know window when the police appeared." of Mr. Rucastle's." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "That you are never beaten." His name is Francis Prosper." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I The summons was a brief and urgent one. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door perplexity from it to my illustrious client. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss is a common subject for conversation. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "No, finished." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Yes." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Yes, sir." she to prove their authenticity?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to-night?" I asked. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a page at http://pglaf.org "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp which should have the effect of calling the attention of the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "No." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had is four-and-twenty." "My dear Holmes!" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. point in the dark hollow of his hand. Henry Baker is a member." Pool. character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Yes, sir.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "And now?" He raised his hand. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes hair?' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those done what I asked you, Jones?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Perfectly so." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She that he has suffered." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, business?" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of any." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea