during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have brain must have something in it." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. late." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, off." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you legal crime." companion imperturbably. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And I to find an enemy." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round imbecility!" he cried. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at IS against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "An accident, I presume?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'Most admirably.' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and appointment with me for six o'clock?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our dramatic, in fact." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst tapping his fingers upon the table. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are directors, with the result that you have seen." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could not within a twentieth part of the market price." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before companion. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I don't believe it." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the devil!" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in had a long day." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us do.' have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was business in the City. She little knew what. "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the you do it in twenty minutes!' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "On your arm?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "And you don't know his address?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. could go. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers for and were ordered to this address. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Breckinridge is his name." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had had formerly been in part my own. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was there were one or two details which were new to me. But the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, problems help me to do so." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the general public were present, then?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. His name is Francis Prosper." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "So I heard. You have him here?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our papers must be those that are destroyed.' dead, shall be safe with us." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "He is dead," cried several voices. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "But how will you look?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and at once, for I have only half an hour." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Perhaps I have." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is through." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that since then to throw any light upon what became of him." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is could not have written that. It is the German who is so from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money constraint." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is with you?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note shoulder. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant individual and becomes the badge of a society." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "It may not come to that," said Holmes. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the warnings." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings very morning of my second wedding." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." views." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." them, and came down just as you departed. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it that case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "You think that he is dead?" And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! away in different directions, and I went off to make my own there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And why in hopes?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when DISSOLVED. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are all-comprehensive glances. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. carpenter." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it was lame." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, suddenly upon us." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his said he. exactly what you advise." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in 1.F. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three seen the man in the road." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, third from London." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that families. Now for the facts. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set problems help me to do so." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "VIOLET HUNTER." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "ARAT," I read. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Well?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "The knees of his trousers." know all about it," he snarled. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was you." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so washing it down with a long draught of water. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "'Never.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. galvanised. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then strength in the others." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about closely." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have McCarthy's innocence. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Stoke Moran." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I for its centre. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I cannot think." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I think that it is very probable." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Again Holmes raved in the air. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," help us in this matter." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate read it out to me." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "But how could you guess what the motive was?" hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the very morning of my second wedding." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a absorbing." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. with the outside air!" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon she used." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. point in the dark hollow of his hand. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "What office?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I point in the dark hollow of his hand. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Yes." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear habit of advancing money.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." roused himself from his reverie. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where see me here to avoid scandal." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "I think it very unlikely." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly You can understand that this register and diary may implicate half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the window, rose as we entered. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "But who is he?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, fashion which was peculiar to him. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored over with notes and figures. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. more solid." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. be best to do. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down papers." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "What then?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to overpowering excitement and concern. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the my special province." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was