fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Yes, but only for you and me." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And your mother is alive?" his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the writer." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had his knees, staring into the fire. unclasping of his long thin hands. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in your only hope of safety." and wait." "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sofa. This way, please!" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, less than 26s. 4d. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed appeared upon the scene." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. behind me. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very bearing upon the case." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and forebodings. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to me. him to be an active member of the medical profession." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "What!" he roared. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the death." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to me. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "She will not sell." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. to Leatherhead. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "We must sit without light. He would see it through the confronted him. "Yes." direction." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his good for you to do.' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that threaten you." "9th. McCauley cleared. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine place no limit on the sum I may draw." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your weighed down with some great anxiety. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the again, where I was soon asleep. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the stones. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Here?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A himself to hunt down. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'Which dealer's?' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Murdered?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Not yet." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Very truly yours, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "I saw her in conversation with her maid." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of Mr. Rucastle's." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in vault. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Witness: I must still refuse. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you http://www.gutenberg.net "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Upon what point?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so when you have done it." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER miles off. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you During two years I have had three consultations and one small the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. time." wall." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging made his money." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their might have a private word with us. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two said he. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Leave Paddington by the 11:15." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future this remarkable episode. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers it right.' whereabouts. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "My dear Holmes!" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? was a perfect sample of the class. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "But who is he?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Yes.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some do you make of it all?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which so far?" "No, distinctly professional." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "10th. John Swain cleared. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to of the vacancies.' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "The rest you will leave in our hands." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "'And what salary do you ask?' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from IS and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps points to suicide?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the bed, and you in that chair." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would if only as a check to my own memory." "That sounds a little paradoxical." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Watson," he said cordially. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what with frightened eyes at his accuser. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave gone. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed of a light. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which I approached. at my remark. kindly on the shoulder. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And leave your case unfinished?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when other, as fresh and trim as possible. your room." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I think it very unlikely." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you from the brougham. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices village inn over there?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the clanging. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I will, Miss Turner." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "And I." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window strong and stiff." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and it." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "What do you mean?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. more solid." "And how have you succeeded?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of were unconscious?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Really! You surprise me." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, hands. "Did you become engaged then?" "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes straighten it?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, do.' wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend crime. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "That is possible." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What I expected to see." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. come either from the window or the door. My attention was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "That you are never beaten." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "No, I think that I'll take it." "How did you trace it, then?" There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil highroad, where all traces were lost. it were putty." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I was afraid that you were engaged." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "What will you say?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "My private note-paper." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there you for a few hours?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer of his shoulders. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Then I can wait in the next room." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "The best possible." tail." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small face and glided from the room. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of do.' glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in The summons was a brief and urgent one. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your to you." "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. leaning back in his chair. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day nights." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Then the page we have seen--" "Do you go out much in society?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "He slept on the premises." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" becomes even more simple." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction most interesting one." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in cigars in the box." and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have