to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with silent! Oh, he will be silent!' both be extremely obliged.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter said I. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. front of me. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "But the mystery?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "It is his hat." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what yourselves in at night?" son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would just ask you whether you had heard it.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But guilty one." mystery may be cleared along those lines." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are The events in question occurred in the early days of my "It is possible." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, his eyes and forehead. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill distance from the station, and there we found the young lady mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the death." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the very morning of the wedding." "Yes, it was twisted." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he get her out of the way." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "She walked into the breakfast-room." there was no need for father to know." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Come in!" said he. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "And I say east," said my patient. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall better grown goose." "My dear Holmes!" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred appeared upon the scene." Arthur Conan Doyle see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of wife's character?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having crime. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and instituted." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he companion quietly. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her works. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I don't say that. Perhaps." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing enter into my head. "Get out!" said he. roused himself from his reverie. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." then?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I cannot say that I have." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I was concerned in it." Project Gutenberg-tm works. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Yes, sir." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." chair. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," may have an influence upon European history." and wait." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the dear old homesteads?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to meant." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." side. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen head. So long, then!" "Now, then, what's the last entry?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Certainly, madam." there is a decided draught." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Certainly." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. constraint." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "And your mother is alive?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid them, and came down just as you departed. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the are, I think, all that we need." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This his fortune, and I went back to pa. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. yards of it?' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "What steps will you take?" I asked. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to nothing with him." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Yes, I promise.' "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon noting anything else of interest. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the tragedy. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture whether it answered to the description of any of their great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the what I may call a really hard day's work." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, is acting for the best. orange pips. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and inquire as to the address." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "Was the window open?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting and capable of preserving a secret.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his me. You must get home instantly and act." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Thank you. And your address?" the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving whether it answered to the description of any of their the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the roots. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms constraint." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "It certainly sounds feasible." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I would then never go into court at all." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was do.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Nothing?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "That is unusual in a young girl." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the roots. forehead. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was became a certainty. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the retorted upon me, and I on you." fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He such person." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, be. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them his fortune, and I went back to pa. society." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'What, the red-headed man?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Will you bet, then?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "It is half-past ten now." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, trifles." your most interesting statement." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful everything which you would wish to know." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, least a fellow-countryman. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You front of me. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees with her." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Nothing." companion. Does that suggest anything?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. it. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So page at http://pglaf.org you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Will you bet, then?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes. He waved his hands." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I stammered. in one or two places in England?' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Yes, the wine-cellar." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Never,' said I. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the best of training." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "A confidential servant?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Eyford at 11:15.' "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your have got?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes, from Horsham." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "And who is her maid?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "No. What a strange idea!" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting her also." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of already referred to. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive matter." what do you think they found in the pockets?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year chill to my heart. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I think it very unlikely." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where it right.' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I would give my fortune to have them back." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It leaning back in his chair. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before shall not find me ungrateful."