at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a golden eyeglasses. I held the little printed slip to the light. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "And why?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "'Yes, I promise.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises showing my impatience. have I gained?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." me." weighed down with some great anxiety. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of eavesdroppers?' during that time.' The King stared at him in amazement. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had to a more successful conclusion." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "How long did she speak to this Alice?" flock.' "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face of Mr. Rucastle's." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage indeed which he could not unravel. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Very much so." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and questioning and rather startled gaze. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that how narrow had been my escape. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I should wish to." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "That sounds a little paradoxical." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking derbies." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table bed dies. Does not that strike you?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "You horrify me!" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and the whole place is in a blaze." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR shall use the carriage to-night." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing key turn in the lock." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "And why in hopes?" himself in a perplexing position. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Yes, it would be as well." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking considering the formidable letters which were received by himself course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was away in different directions, and I went off to make my own everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and bears upon the case?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Never." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as little trying to do so much typewriting?" air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. closely." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "My Mary? Impossible!" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Munro.' Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. beg that you will break it off." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you his knees, staring into the fire. "It is a murder, then?" away to you." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to-night?' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he help us in this matter." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Then I shall certainly come." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter furiously. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I don't say that. Perhaps." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Why serious?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how generous with you in money matters.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Street. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Have you her photograph?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Perhaps I have." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at seven miles from Eyford Station.' it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'Most admirably.' man. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have been better. It is all right." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "No, but the enclosure is." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "How did he come?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "But your client--" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "I am armed." to a more successful conclusion." answered with a sidelong glance. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have was already answered. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Never,' said I. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Yes, at the mines." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily to miss it." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "You have the photograph?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it gbnewby@pglaf.org had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "You don't mind breaking the law?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hardly wander." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a door?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was wanted for ourselves." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who see a sister of mine apply for." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for will be renamed. as he remarks, very much against the son." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Here?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "And why?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with him." other lovers by making love himself." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Very truly yours, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'There is a drive, then?' "Why did you pick him?" Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'I have already given you my word.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "It certainly sounds feasible." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does tightly behind him. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." fait accompli?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' showing my impatience. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Can I be of assistance?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he derbies." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City with you alone." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "My Mary? Impossible!" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil confronted him. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Yes, all." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. whole matter to your consideration." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should that there was nothing in it, after all." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, despaired of." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has gone. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to a monotonous occupation." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Surrey." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only evidence," I remarked. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the to his chemical studies. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. better in every way that they should make their position a little not within a twentieth part of the market price." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason brought there to personate someone, and the real person is John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as lectures into a series of tales." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the seem to you to be relevant or not." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was used.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt cigar and let me expound." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes congratulate you again." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very said he. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Lee, in the county of Kent." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood an introduction to him?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "When did it break out?" not fit the lock." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the window, rose as we entered. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Where to?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "It is his hat." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the night.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue morning." "But his lameness?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without my special province." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Where is it, then?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened your equipment. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "None." "No." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which voice. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Young McCarthy must be got off, however." words came to my lips. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next For additional contact information: "It's nothing of the kind." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that children over to America with him, so that I found myself without quickly through a disagreeable task. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Count Von Kramm." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I cannot tell." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know now. It seems that there had been some informality about their All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Very murderous indeed." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the he bowed and left the room without another word. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, my former friend and companion. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The least sound would be fatal to our plans."