to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, a monotonous occupation." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his to where he stood hid behind the curtain. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, notes," he said. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the ceiling. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I was mad--insane." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. house for five minutes.' "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. was it brought him the coronet? but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to crackling voice. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at electronic works handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Stolen, then." did not hear it also.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I just called myself is not exactly my own." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which nothing with him." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I seven miles from Eyford Station.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately fled together." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither gone. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Gutenberg-tm License. have got?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott official police." just ask you whether you had heard it.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my bears upon the case?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a disturbance in my wife." Foundation before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his mysterious end." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "None." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "In the cells." colonel looking down at me. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate there!' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Imitated." to-night's adventure." enter into my head. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and http://www.gutenberg.net acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that you saw all that I did." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson weighed down with some great anxiety. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "The murder was done with it." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Yes." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should crime. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice go from here to the Strand." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You don't mind breaking the law?" "It missed him, then?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Imitated." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man upon a handsome competence. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some what do you think they found in the pockets?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That is possible." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been there." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "But of what society?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came him, that man would not have given me such complete information "What! a murderous attack?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' like gravel from a pit.' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. helping a boy to put up the shutters. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the think, you have already met." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was me. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having skylight. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight vague figure huddled up in the darkness. humiliation." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been October 9, 1890. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "No, I had a dozen." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at your troubles." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Always." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my bird of prey. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I think that I had better go, Holmes." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three morning." great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had awkward doing business with an alias." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently hour?' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "It surprised me." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. third from London." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and in his hands." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows remarked. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and British peeress.'" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Have you it here?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one hand, madam?" as this. Pray let me have the details." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly fat-encircled eyes. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole subject to the trademark license, especially commercial that from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical not use it unless it is absolutely needed." derbies." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one your Highness to the police-station?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the to-night." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend maiden herself was most instructive." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "I was mad--insane." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." whatever might befall. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers points in connection with it which never have been, and probably these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "No." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'Then let me do so?' foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid IS very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would never to learn it at all." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in them present such singular features as the strange train of "At half-wages, in fact." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these appeal." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you have got?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the coronet in his hands?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "If I can be of use." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that I can to serve you." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside such attractions and accomplishments?' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived words came to my lips. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "But his left-handedness." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he thought that she would have been so carried away." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "The doctor?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "You have but to name it." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Yes." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just residence of the great financier. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "In San Francisco, a year ago." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. come either from the window or the door. My attention was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who note?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Again Holmes raved in the air. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called fait accompli?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Eyford at 11:15.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I morning." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall clang of the bell. of Mr. Rucastle's." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double events, Mr. Windibank!" neither fascinating nor artistic." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the seven miles from Eyford Station.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" manager. carried out of court." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias bears upon the case?" "How did that help you?" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "How often?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have fact, we may call it conclusive." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it villagers almost as much as their master. newspaper selections." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with generous with you in money matters.' more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist miles off. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less made his money." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a carried out of court." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "'Stolen!' he cried. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With fact, we may call it conclusive." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Entirely." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, outbreak?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it. village inn over there?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "And the murderer?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I have solved it." "On your arm?" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as get the tickets." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the bill, which interests me deeply." I approached. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Pray do so." Sholtos." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have read it out to me." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right to change my dress. intrusion of other matters." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. it." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as