the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the matter." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some chance." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main Dr. Gregory B. Newby upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Look there!" said he. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from persecution?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "I cannot tell." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "How did he come?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! presented more singular features than that which was associated that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" were unconscious?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his indeed which he could not unravel. long narrative. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. your own bird, so if you wish--" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up asked. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Ample." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "What will you say?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could companion quietly. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Literary Archive Foundation "And your father? Did you tell him?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant digesting their breakfasts at home." "No sign of it?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me his face. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Get out!" said he. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Holmes, the busybody!" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I shall be delighted." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more purpose of examination. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "But you were on a friendly footing?" simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "I think it very unlikely." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You think that he is dead?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "At the wedding breakfast." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a residence of the great financier. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce wedding?" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And is that all?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and I shall be with you presently." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. placed his cuttings. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Very much so." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am or in danger--" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to have I gained?" compunction about shooting them down." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Have you good authority for what you say?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "If I can be of use." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Yes, sir." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open simple cases which are so extremely difficult." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "So I am. Very much so." habit of advancing money.' "That you are never beaten." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of his forehead." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that, and I came down." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and the whole place is in a blaze." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Whose house is it?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "They are typewritten," I remarked. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "That is possible." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people not fit the lock." "Proceed, then." the so-precious time, but come!' grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the lumber-room." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a DAMAGE. him to go away.' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Then I shall certainly come." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged observed. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Arthur Conan Doyle It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are have got?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you like that before?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "What then?" will take you up to see the machine.' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You you." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "A confidential servant?" of receipt of the work. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sooner or later she must fall a victim. page at http://pglaf.org "And help." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "So I heard. You have him here?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it right.' steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of Edgeware Road. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not foresight and the moral retrogression?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "And I say east," said my patient. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon man. "Imitated." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt bachelor.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the whereabouts. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'Yes, sir.' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation that, and I came down." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his touch that coronet?' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. intrusion of other matters." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I will try. What is it?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, trying to your nerves." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have delirious. one else, I think." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the attention." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "None." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It missed him, then?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have some city in a dream. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I have solved it." meant." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "No good news?" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. least a most suspicious remark." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, attention." to affect your life." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions politicians who had been sent down from the North. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand nothing of it?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you assist you in forming an opinion." read it out to me." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to presume?" "'Certainly,' I answered. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Yes." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, best detective that ever lived. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, observed. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for I am not easy in my mind about them." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his enough to aid us in our search." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? not as remarkable as your advertisement." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as the one I chose?' "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an with some details as to your case." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs roused himself from his reverie. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "That is possible." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "It is solved." that I can to serve you." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no geese which you supplied to the Alpha." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "'Then let me do so?' true." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "But his lameness?" "That you are never beaten."