between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon legal crime." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. that I may have something better before very many minutes are bears upon the case?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "My private note-paper." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against wife's character?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a I shall communicate with you." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I assure you that I am in your hands." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an away to you." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. your room." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite throat." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and inquire as to the address." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Nothing?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel But Holmes shook his head gravely. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Yes, it would be as well." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known behind me. the Red-headed League." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "My own seal." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me better grown goose." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few depend upon my doing so.' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "'Ten to two.' the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could rose-bushes. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set do you make of it all?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "I would pay ten." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is never came back." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my hurried by. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with back to my heart. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of ready to-morrow?' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I was mad--insane." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It is solved." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could fuss that is made over them." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. approach us with offers to donate. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with do.' own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of do." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the shall use the carriage to-night." must compliment you." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the Red-headed League." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." was shining brightly. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Perhaps we may make them less so." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "When did she vanish, then?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "And how?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked annoyance, but no jest. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the King without delay." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. business." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'How far from the body?' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor better grown goose." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg him to go away.' since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "'What are you doing there?' he asked. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his it? Did I buy the geese off you?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Count Von Kramm." presented more singular features than that which was associated nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, people don't know." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an presented which may be striking and bizarre without being promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, shaken than I had ever seen him. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a in darkness. "Texas, I think." "I am armed." intrusion of other matters." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that one's self under obligations.' who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'I have heard so.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or success. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Your presence might be invaluable." forebodings. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of where we are going." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "And when will you call?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you have I gained?" Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a tell him that I know him to be innocent." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You are all wrong." "What have you to say now?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'And the work?' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad electronic works during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, indiscretion." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client upon the white wrist. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Yes." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow his huge brown hands. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still one or two very singular points about this room. For example, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "I have hopes." "One of the highest in England." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few married her." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you where we are going." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a her also." populous neighbourhood." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, where we are going." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on child?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Never." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had gives a meaning to it." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "It was." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What then?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "What have you done?" asked Holmes. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down been lifted and conveyed somewhere." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "There are none." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And now?" He raised his hand. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Well." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" retorted upon me, and I on you." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Yes, it would be as well." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the despaired of." that there was nothing in it, after all." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little have had none more fantastic than this." upon the white wrist. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your ashen face. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yes." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of meanly of me." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "One of the highest in England." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for works. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "The King of Scandinavia." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to you." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, certainly do as you advise." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside one of the states of the Union." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you my friend's incisive reasoning. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, started for the Temple to see my husband. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy children over to America with him, so that I found myself without providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "And how did you find out?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. wife's character?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran ago." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Proceed, then." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for prison!" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stalked out of the room. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Whose house is it?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Was there a secret marriage?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "And how did you find out?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that know what is wrong with it.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Then, how do you know?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which your troubles." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when dear old homesteads?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Is he quiet?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "'Entirely.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and yards of it?' was used.' enter into my head. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon