his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the driver. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "But what will you do?" "And is that all?" were new raised from a basin. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." pound a week." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly depend upon my doing so.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "And how did he make his money?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "How did you trace it, then?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Then I do not see the point." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "And is that all?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I am not easy in my mind about them." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. it." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt giving me time to thank him. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me appointment with me for six o'clock?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Then you may be so with me." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a But Holmes shook his head gravely. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be crowd. What do you deduce from it?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "The knees of his trousers." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a heavy and sharp instrument." "Ha! you find it so?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Not yet." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It was." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "She walked into the breakfast-room." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to affect your life." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not into the room. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to but preventing her from injuring another. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of down. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and gigantic client. would then never go into court at all." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from forbidden door. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and it need not interfere very much with one's other fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she trifles." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Nothing." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and rose-bushes. "None." call it cruel." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the little opening for the ventilator is." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Stolen!' he cried. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "But your client--" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken then?" call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few three of the beryls in it, was missing. bare slabs of marble. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You will not go there first?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these brought there to personate someone, and the real person is there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "It is very kind of you." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the bottom.' it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" be sorry for having acted so harshly." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a had died away into the silence from which it rose. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was used.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was London for the present?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Upon what point?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Pray let us have it, for all that." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his huge brown hands. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any dramatic, in fact." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that there was nothing in it, after all." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "By all means." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "And it is--" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it remarked. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could spark where all is dark to me." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to address. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and capable of preserving a secret.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "You are hungry," I remarked. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of case before our client came into the room." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the coronet at all injured?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the driver. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, back into the street. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and had a long day." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I am sure." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "And your mother is alive?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any said I. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "On the contrary, this is the right side." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "The gentleman I describe." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'Stolen!' he cried. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "No, distinctly professional." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. call you and give you the chance." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was used.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "And help." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I came to find a friend." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was for the market.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' tightly behind him. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little train.' better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Heh?' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All The police have openly confessed that they can at present make common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this waste of energy." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Leave Paddington by the 11:15." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular skylight. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "And Miss Sutherland?" "What is it?" "It must be recovered." the stones. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, in this way: "And why in hopes?" that I can to serve you." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the forbidden door. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Certainly." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "And on what day did he meet his death?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons investigation." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'Then let me do so?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out must be when I saw the door open.' It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is to him that this trophy belongs." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Indeed! Whose, then?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with despaired of." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Yes, he did." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Can I be of assistance?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried became a certainty. "Nothing?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the province." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and me what he had done with the three missing stones. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'Ten to two.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three tell me that you intended to go into harness." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Why, it's a dummy," said he. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue important." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of it were putty." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fatally injured? who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush such attractions and accomplishments?' used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Certainly, madam." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men success. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose acquaintance?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am McCarthy's innocence. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a money should be paid at once.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two burst into a hearty fit of laughter. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they locked." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice chair. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, villagers almost as much as their master. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "It's nothing of the kind." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared for its centre. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Well, it is a possible supposition." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is very kind of you." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." meanly of me." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" matters immensely." "VIOLET HUNTER." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always morning." "Then you may be so with me." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am take the flies, but not before." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his laugh and put his lips to my ear. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg like that before?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. and the church but not where the lady lived." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and I shall be with you presently." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to too. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You are hungry," I remarked. a good hundred miles off by now."