It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. colour had been driven from his face. Street. made him keep the appointment." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "The murder was done with it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that it right.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were important." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But she could not love him." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately wedding?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and time." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "But not more so than I to find you." gone. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "My dear Holmes!" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate with frightened eyes at his accuser. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, so far?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for call you and give you the chance." the driver. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Perhaps I have." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I whether it answered to the description of any of their naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your copied or distributed: Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed new acquaintance to Baker Street. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she Sutherland?" advice." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black hair?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I would pay ten." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "May I see it?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Where, then, is my wife?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And Irene Adler?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of roused himself from his reverie. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the unprecedented a position." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we into her hand at the door and which lured her within their lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the read it out to me." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which again on its way. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "My last client of the sort was a king." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the had this final quarrel? the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that room. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the ourselves in the office." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, call for it in person on Monday morning.' crime." I nodded to show that I had heard. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his tell them apart.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second now. It seems that there had been some informality about their home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his quite distinctive." when your master had gone out." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "So I have heard." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the ceremony." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I cannot tell." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" enough to aid us in our search." daring than any effort of the imagination." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, drawing your inferences." fashion which was peculiar to him. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to rooms." chemical work which was so dear to him. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by shaken than I had ever seen him. conclusions. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, John Swain, of St. Augustine. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "She will not sell." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the rooms." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "They are typewritten," I remarked. again on its way. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "You have a clue?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the of." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Never." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are depend upon your compliance." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "What, then, did Peterson do?" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Where, then, is my wife?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads there in twenty minutes." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "What I expected to see." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bill, which interests me deeply." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But who is he?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "'There is a drive, then?' recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out to Leatherhead. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even bare slabs of marble. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Nothing?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at a side door. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in a friendly supper." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his noble correspondent could be. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Sutherland. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless breakfast?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My nights." are, and they are waiting for us." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing papers must be those that are destroyed.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I time." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Where did he live, then?" typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the read it out to me." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and the colonel ushered me in. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the running down." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in my life." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it success. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must companion. not personally threatened." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked my little problems." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Did you become engaged then?" chill to my heart. criminal. We have already had experience of such." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "One of the highest in England." "Thank you. And your address?" "Oh, yes, easily." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." maid will bring up your coffee." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "I assure you that I am in your hands." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in this note: 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived so far?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very an introduction to him?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who I was concerned in it." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was call it cruel." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." might have a private word with us. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez silent! Oh, he will be silent!' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Stoke Moran." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to kindly on the shoulder. "Who by?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "What! You do not mean bodies?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the front of me. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "ARAT," I read. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." night.' said he. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table new acquaintance to Baker Street. have got?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." was a lad." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a second window is the one that I jumped from." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Certainly." "Where is it, then?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I shall most certainly do so." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of nothing of it?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'Ample.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and capable of preserving a secret.' "By no means." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "That is also quite modern," said the lady. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark back into the street. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Street. knowledge of the world." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. all-comprehensive glances. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "But we can't all be." to some other building. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair your most interesting statement." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, garden below. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "What will you do, then?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Who by?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the yet." "It is very kind of you." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Absolutely none." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" key of the affair now." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "My dear Holmes!" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my do." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Proceed, then." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I said I. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the tragedy. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not