hour." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the I. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots to-night." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said call you and give you the chance." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. his fortune, and I went back to pa. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I think that I could be of assistance to you." not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a for and were ordered to this address. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Yes, the wine-cellar." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in society." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly imbecility!" he cried. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. time." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a entirely devoid of interest." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Cross for the Continent." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your so.' But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "We must have a cab." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "She walked into the breakfast-room." with some details as to your case." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "'And the work?' police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It is half-past ten now." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, be there in time for your coming." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of that, and I came down." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if when your master had gone out." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It is his hat." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Precisely." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Did you become engaged then?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Yes." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, the wine-cellar." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." directly by questioning you." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "How did you deduce the select?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are me. You must get home instantly and act." tapping his fingers upon the table. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is very clear." gives a meaning to it." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which them present such singular features as the strange train of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "But what will you do?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was lame." that threaten you." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it fait accompli?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her as the one I chose?' authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I late!' ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Nearly eleven." Does that suggest anything?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. outside." For additional contact information: "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, criminal. We have already had experience of such." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second of Fenchurch Street." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Never to return." golden eyeglasses. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "No. His orders were to stay in the house." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What can you not understand?" indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "Never." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned one which it was hard to resist. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of at my remark. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Does that suggest anything?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was what I may call a really hard day's work." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "So it appears." overpowering excitement and concern. appointment with me for six o'clock?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank in this note: in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch as yours." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "I cannot say that I have." are windows in it, of course?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." has little to do with my story." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Won't it ring?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fire. You quite follow me?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she him and tried to hold him back. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly you came in." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Count Von Kramm." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'Never.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "How can you tell that?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Perfectly so." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of whether it answered to the description of any of their "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered were wasted." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." joking. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "ARAT," I read. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The matters immensely." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly into the room. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if which was all perfectly true. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Miss Holder?" must be when I saw the door open.' foot. "Here?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "The best possible." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the back to my heart. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the stable lane now." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I cannot as yet see any connection." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I see no marks." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow the coronet at all injured?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so was keenly on my guard against him. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the interests were the same as his." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your Holmes' face clouded over. "Then you may entirely rely on me." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fire. You quite follow me?" success. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must your room." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then the page we have seen--" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and business came to an end." green of the new foliage. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' knowledge of the world." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, been deceived." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first congenial hunt. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "What do you mean?" do you make of it all?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his forecastle of an emigrant ship. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE his wife has ceased to love him." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will returning from some small jollification and was making his way accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a come either from the window or the door. My attention was had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to despair." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And what did you see?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been that, and I came down." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'Yes, sir.' "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a me upon any point which I do not make clear." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a bird of prey. said he at last. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who cigars in the box." as he folded up the epistle. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of enough to aid us in our search." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was keenly on my guard against him. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Yes." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his guilty one." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Tired-looking or fresh?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I outside." companion. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something drawing your inferences." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "In San Francisco, a year ago." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "My own seal." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You horrify me." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Then I do not see the point." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "The landlord of the Alpha." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Ah!" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not one of them." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the