which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a became a certainty. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "You have but to name it." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three at my remark. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to is acting for the best. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, copied or distributed: "Whose house is it?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Again Holmes raved in the air. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I don't say that. Perhaps." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is looking up at the numbers of the houses." infinite languor in his face. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must IS to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Holmes' face clouded over. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Foundation feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and voice. to-night?" I asked. "I say that I have solved it." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "'And what salary do you ask?' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Come in!" said Holmes. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Very. But will he see it?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I see no marks." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof within hail.' became a certainty. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was hard-headed British jury." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. remarked. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations power." "And how did you verify them?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where go back?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER was already answered. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "In San Francisco, a year ago." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I would give my fortune to have them back." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and looked back. "How often?" "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Who by?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Yes." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "And now?" He raised his hand. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon asked. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change for its centre. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to bachelor.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you know all about it," he snarled. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you learned something! Where are the gems?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project your sleep?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I say that I have solved it." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became begun to whiten, even as mine has." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the electronic works They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a look dissatisfied." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be excitement. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming figure." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'And what salary do you ask?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the warnings." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then soul! here is her carriage at the door." "And who is her maid?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the manager. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no bore every mark of being an average commonplace British thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "'Yes, sir.' "Nothing?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." maiden herself was most instructive." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Of what day?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded into the room. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until had died away into the silence from which it rose. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "By no means." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing made him keep the appointment." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small garden below. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "To ruin me." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "'And what are they worth?' I asked. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Count Von Kramm." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Oh, yes, easily." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he with some details as to your case." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am little trying to do so much typewriting?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, you." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "If so, much may have happened between." "To an English lawyer named Norton." opportunities to fix the problem. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and a room. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I think it very unlikely." heavy and sharp instrument." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without is worth.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and the colonel ushered me in. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get galvanised. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little I am not easy in my mind about them." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. o'clock is it?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." ceremony." detective. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as me." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Not yet." Watson," he said cordially. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and man. I know him from the photograph." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "My Mary? Impossible!" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." third from London." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it than was visible to me." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The frequently gained my first real insight into the character of sufficient punishment." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the you in yours." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "That was it, sir." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "I don't say that. Perhaps." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "From his hat?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, and inquire as to the address." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." the matter." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the very morning of the wedding." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Ah!" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's fear." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "And now?" He raised his hand. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some showing my impatience. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Then you may be so with me." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Did you observe the colour?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "My dear Holmes!" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll man. I know him from the photograph." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Nor running a chance of arrest?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its but preventing her from injuring another. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The knees of his trousers." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Yes, at the mines." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You will not go there first?" c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Why, what do you mean?" "Yes, I have one waiting." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to take care of herself." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler he. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to figure." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' to-night." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I disappearance of the bride.'" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, desk. thirty. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar."