chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If whether it answered to the description of any of their building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. furiously. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "In the cells." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken business in the City. She little knew what. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, matters immensely." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." prisoner's face. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Of what day?" reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Did you become engaged then?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You saw the ventilator, too?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught bearing upon the case." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Yes, I have one waiting." wedding?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. late!' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "So I heard. You have him here?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim hurried away. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, rooms." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's introspective fashion. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than your Highness to the police-station?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Never." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name bears upon the case?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, Holmes. lips." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "But we can't all be." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Tired-looking or fresh?" questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. imbecility!" he cried. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in gbnewby@pglaf.org slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some yourselves in at night?" "And leave your case unfinished?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up ready to-morrow?' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to a light-house. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Holmes, the busybody!" just called myself is not exactly my own." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" this man was intellectual?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We matter over." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Oh, the cause is excellent!" little trying to do so much typewriting?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, there when the Rucastles went away." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt had no one to advise her at such a crisis." works. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I think it very unlikely." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The what I may call a really hard day's work." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both chambers. Sutherland?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with DISSOLVED. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no even of instruction." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Seven!" I answered. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, charge against him will break down." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "And what did you see?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "It is to him that this trophy belongs." indiscretion." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I say that I have solved it." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "But the mystery?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Certainly." friend's singular character. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' again before evening." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There this man was intellectual?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than cigars in their mouths. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "In answer to an advertisement." "And the cigar-holder?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. away into the river." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than ourselves in the office." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off our word." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," yourselves in at night?" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in residence of the great financier. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in in a friendly supper." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Quite so." "No, I had a dozen." his forehead." some water from a caraffe. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "You horrify me." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy really the only notable feature about the thing." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Then let me do so?' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "And it is--" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the is worth.' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler were new raised from a basin. "I am sure." you." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself if I call to-morrow?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when call you and give you the chance." "What of the rat, then?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the one of them." it were putty." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall fatally injured? my little problems." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I say it is." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project had died away into the silence from which it rose. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Sholtos." congenial hunt. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the now. It seems that there had been some informality about their residence of the great financier. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was possible that we could bring him back to her? The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of friends, not even his own brother. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of the way of danger. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that upon the shelf for the interim." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR matter." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "No more words. Get out!" "And now?" He raised his hand. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "From his hat?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Thank you. Pray proceed." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored individual and becomes the badge of a society." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out mysterious business." Holmes' thin, eager face. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, roused himself from his reverie. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Whose house is it?" depend upon your compliance." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. writer." at home. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "I cannot imagine." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is might have a private word with us. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his grey eyes. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Why did you pick him?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "What will you do, then?" little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the you, my dear young lady?' things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Nothing?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Certainly,' I answered. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low have one." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the in this note: finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with roused himself from his reverie. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a could gather together that I was able to avert another public if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "She will not sell." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in people don't know." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "In answer to an advertisement." the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I have hopes." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert voice, changing her seat as requested. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she certainly do as you advise." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the south-west, I see." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming