"Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Pray do so." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was least a most suspicious remark." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be signal between you and your father? directly by questioning you." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a had a long day." "How can you tell that?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say feature." shall not find me ungrateful." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, Farm upon the left." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as me, and I could not think that his explanation of the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "It is his hat." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Where does the thing come from?' kind enough to tell me what I should do." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Her father is very rich?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the child." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of girl said." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I will, Miss Turner." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every must compliment you." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "And what then?" "Yes." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'And the work?' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Who was the criminal, then?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "Do you know him?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at had formerly been in part my own. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "An accident, I presume?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "This photograph!" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" which our visitor detailed to us. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, any more." closing the door. "That is possible." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, until night should bring an explanation. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say The King stared at him in amazement. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a question," said Holmes, smiling. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily been shamefully used." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down questioning and rather startled gaze. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to business matters.' that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have fat-encircled eyes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "What are they?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see swore that no one else had been in the front room during the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Where does the thing come from?' "No." walking." "Well, but China?" his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we speckled band?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our to-night?' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The you?' in. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there husband's writing, madam." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me something of him before." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Not I." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Heh?' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I developed." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a looking up at the numbers of the houses." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'What, the red-headed man?' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "But his lameness?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Will you go?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Did you become engaged then?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." matters immensely." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." before the coroner and the police-court." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Do you know him?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body things are very often connected not with the larger but with the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to evidence," I remarked. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be you understand?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That is not always so easy." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Yes." maiden herself was most instructive." I held the little printed slip to the light. just called myself is not exactly my own." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, weary and pale-looking. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "That also I could fathom." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Street. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the child." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest strength in the others." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "By no means." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'I am sure if I had known--' "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'A dozen yards or so.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Why did you pick him?" last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "You did not overhear what they said?" "'A dozen yards or so.' the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind so.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "No, I am descending." have one." one of the states of the Union." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Did you observe the colour?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a used to be." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had 11:15.' your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had I shall continue with my miserable story. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his foresight and the moral retrogression?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "This concluded the examination of the witness." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Frequently." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while she to prove their authenticity?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just carriage. It was a chestnut." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of morning." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. not fit the lock." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." in my life." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Leadenhall Street--and--" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is my special province." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire you." look dissatisfied." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "'Oh, no.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the window, rose as we entered. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "And why?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. occupations.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to young Openshaw's." you want, then?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the important." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "You have but to name it." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good enter Dr. Roylott's room." towards the blaze. "Yes." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall you." dramatic, in fact." "Then how many are there?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have been better. It is all right." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "And the murderer?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from never came back." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that is so. I know all about McCarthy." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called you." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically cigars in their mouths. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring beyond words. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose must be when I saw the door open.' then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to bled considerably." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I will try. What is it?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes." my secret was safe in his possession. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the depend upon your compliance." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Then the page we have seen--" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's new duties?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the are, I think, all that we need." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for learned something! Where are the gems?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. side. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to take care of herself." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I will do it." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you matter." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so children over to America with him, so that I found myself without matters immensely." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would than was visible to me." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Witness: I must still refuse. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Holmes' room. The King stared at him in amazement. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of delirious. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On a little more before I quite committed myself. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to his chemical studies. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. unprecedented a position." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I never to learn it at all." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. gone. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" would then never go into court at all." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who important." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." miles off. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" the matter." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "But you were on a friendly footing?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Did your wife hear all this?" companion quietly. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me