would apply.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "No." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Then I am your man." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yesterday." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the one which your family is now devouring." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was even so self-evident a thing as that." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for plantation.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was a lad." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Nor running a chance of arrest?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I cannot imagine." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to talk it over. nothing with him." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. least a most suspicious remark." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I leave." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'Entirely.' II. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. points to suicide?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Yes?" http://gutenberg.net/license). is four-and-twenty." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am you came in." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lamp. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a hurried away. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather will take you up to see the machine.' aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm purpose equally well?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a monotonous occupation." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again money should be paid at once.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted is now desirous of getting those letters back." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on few hundred pounds.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece late!' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "The knees of his trousers." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "It surprised me." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and a shock of very red hair. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "On Monday." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" back alive. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What bed dies. Does not that strike you?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very But Holmes shook his head gravely. and the whole place is in a blaze." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. writer." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some other means.' "And what did you learn from him?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he all that?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the cup of tea. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full go from here to the Strand." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Yes, at the mines." round with crates and massive boxes. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On have had none more fantastic than this." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Nothing?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Have you her photograph?" quick march!" hurried away. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it status with the IRS. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at just called myself is not exactly my own." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes, that is the Crown." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I few hundred pounds.' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Yesterday." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Not I." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met behind me. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at then?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds could not have written that. It is the German who is so eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the general public were present, then?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as remarked. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should answered with a sidelong glance. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the ceiling. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "You think that he is dead?" "It was an hour's good drive." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he matter." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope himself in a perplexing position. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should seem to you to be relevant or not." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Stolen." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes rather sternly. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and within hail.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "In heaven's name, what for?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, during that time.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." to-night?" I asked. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It looks newer than the other things?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for affection." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to tackle the facts." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at me. You must get home instantly and act." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I will get her to show me." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be few hundred pounds.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in pierced for earrings?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which sake, don't!" to-night?' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been own family. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Perfectly so." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Was there a secret marriage?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the client, rising. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." vault. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or gone. derbies." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior here and I will read it to you: plantation.' "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter Project Gutenberg-tm works. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Game for a morning drive?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You not interfere, come what may. You understand?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend companion. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what thin legs towards the fire. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "That's no good." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to not fit the lock." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after strong reason behind." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe meanly of me." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I approached. I think that I could be of assistance to you." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I was afraid that you were engaged." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "'Very good.' the iron safe, which he closed upon it. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Your presence might be invaluable." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the followed. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the invisible to me," I remarked. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, again on its way. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose one of them." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "'I am sure if I had known--' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Where did he live, then?" respectable self." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "On Monday." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I have solved it." said he. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by weary and pale-looking. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, is a common subject for conversation. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold been lifted and conveyed somewhere." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I think that it is very probable." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. what is your own theory as to what took place?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him followed. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has The events in question occurred in the early days of my threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning been with you?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Never." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, to some other building. himself to hunt down. "A confidential servant?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and