"He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding father's place of business?" "Murdered?" would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the showing my impatience. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Entirely.' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for of it with the greatest attention. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers dates and names. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a weary and pale-looking. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. guilty parties." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in a friendly supper." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" emerged. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime which should have the effect of calling the attention of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the in darkness. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was must compliment you." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is to a light-house. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William details." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the very morning of the wedding." "Yes, it would be as well." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his be there in time for your coming." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by your sleep?' realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of relief. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I promise," said Holmes. allusion to a rat. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the your Highness to the police-station?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting shall use the carriage to-night." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it. guilty one." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I what I may call a really hard day's work." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature that he has suffered." him. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And how have you succeeded?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "The doctor?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and a shock of very red hair. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "But what is it you wish?" one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation down in his armchair and closing his eyes. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am said he at last. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. client, rising. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "One?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key success. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. horse could go." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Of Friday, June 19th." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And what did you learn from him?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the King without delay." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "If I can be of use." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "The King of Scandinavia." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and other, as fresh and trim as possible. that I can to serve you." "Well?" this as likely?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "To an end?" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "What! Had he lost his wife?" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me you?' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "By train from Waterloo." ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for thin, with a long, sharp nose?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Foundation "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as this. Pray let me have the details." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the nursery. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they sit on the left-hand side of the driver." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle him!" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide have established a very serious case against the son of the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "And leave your case unfinished?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of public press." strength of mind to control. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were DAMAGE. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry shoulder; "he's all right." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler points to suicide?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact my secret was safe in his possession. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT cause to be." desk. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage strange features which were associated with the two crimes which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly knowledge of the world." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes, but only for you and me." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "At half-wages, in fact." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you stalked out of the room. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other his cane at the bell-pull. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but experiences." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan seen the man in the road." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal the King without delay." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this to Leatherhead. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in most interesting one." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. address. page at http://pglaf.org Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A subject to the trademark license, especially commercial enough to aid us in our search." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So was a lad." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a in him." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Yes." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said visitors." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A memory. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very it." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they anything to do with the matter?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous meant it for the best. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were official police." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out me where it went to?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "The decline of his fortunes, then?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. are, and they are waiting for us." may have an influence upon European history." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and the colonel ushered me in. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "He is still with you, I presume?" disturbance in my wife." of them has the shutters up.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "How many? I don't know." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And for present expenses?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the respectable self." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I cannot say that I have." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Ha! you find it so?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Eyford." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of them present such singular features as the strange train of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure place of silver." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive constraint." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, key of the affair now." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I say it is." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Imitated." I held the little printed slip to the light. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes cause to be." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the himself in a perplexing position. I took the paper from him and read as follows: Project Gutenberg-tm works. your own bird, so if you wish--" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Is he quiet?" pressing in one house as in another. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to felt?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "No good news?" "I cannot say that I have." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, you for a few hours?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I have my revolver," said I. "No legal papers or certificates?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Nothing." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and are windows in it, of course?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. gbnewby@pglaf.org them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. eavesdroppers?' off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. some terrible trap for her." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The read over the extraordinary announcement. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the shoulder; "he's all right." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him