headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. been deceived." "I cannot tell." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying page at http://pglaf.org American. Then who could this American be, and why should he abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord that I am arrested." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I I shall continue with my miserable story. ready to-morrow?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Yes, I promise.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not comes from the middle window." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "When did she vanish, then?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have fashion which was peculiar to him. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "And is that all?" license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else down. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "And Irene Adler?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open relation between them, and what the object of his repeated wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I guessed as much." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I don't say that. Perhaps." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. colour had been driven from his face. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or kindly on the shoulder. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, but only for you and me." "I should wish to." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" best detective that ever lived. despaired of." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Your French gold?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not letters?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Not him." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and a shock of very red hair. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate leaning back in his chair. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I shall be delighted." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "That sounds a little paradoxical." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Where, indeed?" outside. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your despaired of." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is congenial hunt. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad this Miss Turner." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he present." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Who by?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less where we are going." "I will do it." "VIOLET HUNTER." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "And how did he make his money?" said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money shoulder. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down go back?" to talk it over. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. IS of." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned perplexity from it to my illustrious client. been able to understand it, in a very few words. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, presented more singular features than that which was associated home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "And your mother is alive?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low shall use the carriage to-night." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "The King of Scandinavia." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "What steps will you take?" I asked. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained his face which made him a very different person to the round, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still again." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," eavesdroppers?' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was shoulder. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double Does that suggest anything?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "You are hungry," I remarked. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' the bottom.' stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "No, finished." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous said he, "my real name is James Ryder." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in do.' the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, brought there to personate someone, and the real person is wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "No, I am descending." society." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Yes, sir.' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed recover the gem." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Pool. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Arthur Conan Doyle face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Stolen, then." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we footfalls from the street. orange pips. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to take care of herself." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms remarked. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one else, I think." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the bed, and you in that chair." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Do you know him?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Holmes' face clouded over. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "And why?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Yes, all." man. vanished into the darkness. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "You will not go there first?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can name is different." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See there were so many in the whole country as were brought together as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built existence." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy his knees, staring into the fire. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I have it here in my museum." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. yet." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to one of the states of the Union." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him fear." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend writer." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "How often?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "I answered that I had not. dear old homesteads?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I should wish to." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Texas, I think." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "We have tried and failed." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we McCarthy." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the matter?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in and a shock of very red hair. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "It is a murder, then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "So I have heard." was already answered. second." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "How did he come?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Yes, from Horsham." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the window, rose as we entered. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." of the one which your family is now devouring." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be business." October 9, 1890. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works it? Did I buy the geese off you?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "'And the work?' "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Game for a morning drive?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had