clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking geese which you supplied to the Alpha." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "In heaven's name, what for?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "One of the highest in England." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been breakfast and whispered something to her husband. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "But it has twice been burgled." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "It surprised me." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I meant it for the best. Holmes' face clouded over. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, upon an income of about 60 pounds." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "My dear Holmes!" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in this note: "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of What do you deduce from it?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I details should find their way into the papers. Inspector at my own good fortune. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you feature." must be when I saw the door open.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my him." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which and that he would see to anything that turned up. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The King stared at him in amazement. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "In which, sir?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'You doubt its value?' he asked. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be arrested. You then--" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "But your client--" "You horrify me." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever instincts rose up against that laugh. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "By all means." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and the colonel ushered me in. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining long narrative. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, I. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "It may not come to that," said Holmes. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his I think that I could be of assistance to you." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I should be immensely obliged to you." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Leadenhall Street--and--" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'About the same.' was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned desk. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "One of the highest in England." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I leave." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." disturbance in my wife." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be should be taken.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of his eyes and forehead. read it out to me." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, certainly do as you advise." bonnet, and went out." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually and have this put in the evening papers." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went been able to understand it, in a very few words. ashen face. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. notes," he said. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "So I am. Very much so." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation room. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to-night?" I asked. and effective." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Certainly." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, too. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, even of instruction." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I was concerned in it." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible meant it for the best. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It is no ordinary one." Miss Holder?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella other lovers by making love himself." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, you give your casting vote to?" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and most interesting one." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt were new raised from a basin. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to out." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Here?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "What do you mean?" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Quite so. She has her freedom." "My stepfather's business papers." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the DISSOLVED. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' annoyance, but no jest. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted one's self under obligations.' Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been purpose of examination. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "But his left-handedness." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words galvanised. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "How can you tell that?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your notes," he said. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Of Friday, June 19th." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry look dissatisfied." "Do you know him?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have one." of your young ladies.' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up of his shoulders. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Project Gutenberg-tm works. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he back alive. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Your French gold?" "But she could not love him." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and carriage. It was a chestnut." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'Certainly,' I answered. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which client, rising. "I say it is." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The village inn over there?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry people in all walks of life. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful perplexity from it to my illustrious client. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss speckled band?" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "No. What a strange idea!" "No bad?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "You forget that I know nothing about it." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Dark enough and sinister enough." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR writer." "Of what?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had would apply.' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." written, and locked the door of the office after me. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." page at http://pglaf.org right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door we went to search for him, face downward in a little in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. electronic works hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the matter." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'You doubt its value?' he asked. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm answered with a sidelong glance. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I have solved it." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical closely." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in written. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "But his left-handedness." then?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "This photograph!" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be this Miss Turner." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the iron safe, which he closed upon it. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "I cannot think." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the Assizes." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I awkward doing business with an alias." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every least a most suspicious remark." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a allusion to a rat. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. disappearance of the bride.'" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any tell me that you intended to go into harness." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the politicians who had been sent down from the North. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their residence of the great financier. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Yes." "'It is locked up,' I answered. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you this Miss Turner." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "I say it is." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen generous with you in money matters.' other means.' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring any little problem which you may submit to me." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds wedding?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Come in!" said Holmes. there is a decided draught." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. photograph a cabinet?" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Very truly yours, you came in." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the me. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the one of the states of the Union." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he allusion to a rat. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us national property. I was determined that the law should have its "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened