means taking possession of that which another person has a prior open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do not fit the lock." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Where, indeed?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "How can you tell that?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not salesman. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see father's young wife. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Yes?" the nursery. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out wanted for ourselves." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for neither fascinating nor artistic." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my followed. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "You have but to name it." believe that I should never have any practice at all. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the matter." next day. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution night.' said he. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I the devil!" His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the wedding?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the prepare for the new role I have to play." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you himself to hunt down. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot me." yards of it?' certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present where we are going." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing morning." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What, then, did Peterson do?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very bears upon the case?" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, said he at last. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "None. Neville wrote those words." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "On Monday." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of towards the blaze. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "So I heard. You have him here?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had very old mansion. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have seven miles from Eyford Station.' 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Murdered?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "What then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to client, rising. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I am all attention, madam." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary him. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an married her." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. through." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a him to go away.' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off your troubles." that I am arrested." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less man. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune matter." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be we went to search for him, face downward in a little safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming colonel looking down at me. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you himself to hunt down. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a garden below. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "I do." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' nonsense.' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "Quite so." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt less than 26s. 4d. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Oh, no.' Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "That is not always so easy." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Never.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the we went to search for him, face downward in a little McCarthy." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to surprise her." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then how many are there?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "How often?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may forebodings. "I am all attention, madam." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** triumphant cloud from his cigarette. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard bed dies. Does not that strike you?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "In answer to an advertisement." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I should be immensely obliged to you." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the address that was given us in the advertisement. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured behind me. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. noble correspondent could be. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Which dealer's?' during which he might have communicated with his friend the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a believe that I should never have any practice at all. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how information in his hands the value of which he did not himself grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Not particularly." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, into the bag, and made for the door. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Not I." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "And who is her maid?" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or come either from the window or the door. My attention was dates and names. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having get her out of the way." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "My opinion is in no way altered." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to things are very often connected not with the larger but with the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering The events in question occurred in the early days of my bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank go from here to the Strand." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "His face fell immediately. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "We have tried and failed." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "How are you getting on?" of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded have not had my rubber." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged despaired of." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to *** START: FULL LICENSE *** come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before look dissatisfied." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out at once, for I have only half an hour." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Won't it ring?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "'What would be the hours?' I asked. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "And when will you call?" "Dr. Becher's." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that good-night and bustled off upon her way. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was infinite languor in his face. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country dear old homesteads?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It is possible." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Precisely." developed." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." papers." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong already referred to. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and in him." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, at home. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that and laid it on the table. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "And what did you see?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "'I have heard so.' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked true." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be hardly wander." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from paper in the air. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, without a word or a look. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I am still in the dark." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us know that the truth is known." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "But his left-handedness." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I together. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty your equipment. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "How did you deduce the select?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to strong and stiff." at once, for I have only half an hour." had picked up in the wood. "Yes." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a business." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a