others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "And did you observe any change in her then?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main points to suicide?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to his chemical studies. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I shall continue with my miserable story. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves his wife has ceased to love him." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended vanished into the darkness. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his asked. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in father's place of business?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Very. But will he see it?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Ah!" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only I think that I could be of assistance to you." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those congenial hunt. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, as the one I chose?' typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Because he was handy and would come cheap." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. coat-tails." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is DISSOLVED. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding bird of prey. of the vacancies.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: come either from the window or the door. My attention was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are careless servant girl?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "You heard nothing yourself last night?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and putting in the horse. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the allusion to a rat. situation." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'I am sure if I had known--' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in affair. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Only as much as we can deduce." will take you up to see the machine.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to attention." companion. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and I shall be with you presently." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will approach us with offers to donate. to-night." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people cause to be." License. You must require such a user to return or you found me to-night--and running through the front room she shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case ways including including checks, online payments and credit card is a common subject for conversation. business." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we hour?' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "At the wedding breakfast." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to in his hands." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal situation." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, asked. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be with frightened eyes at his accuser. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his becomes even more simple." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of tell me that you intended to go into harness." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is shoulder. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Do you know him?" most interesting one." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to you." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate prepare for the new role I have to play." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The best possible." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and have this put in the evening papers." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of morning." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Eyford at 11:15.' Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Get out!" said he. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after what is your own theory as to what took place?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I observed. it." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever My friend smiled. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have not use it unless it is absolutely needed." dramatic, in fact." "But his lameness?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "And what did you see?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Was the window open?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if made him keep the appointment." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the stable lane now." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw results." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is be. said Mr. Holder. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "'Certainly,' I answered. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague think that any burglar could have done. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to-morrow." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you came in." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and I shall be with you presently." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I already referred to. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining discontent upon his features. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is jewels which you have stolen?' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway carried out of court." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Witness: It was. of the one which your family is now devouring." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, clang of the bell. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he rat could hardly pass through." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and it need not interfere very much with one's other open." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three in the hope of finding them." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "You have but to name it." "'Yes, it was gone.' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It I am not easy in my mind about them." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the forehead. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed the night.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the unclasping of his long thin hands. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" into the room. Holmes rather sternly. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the she might be summoned. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "'Most admirably.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in wedding?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. said he. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in fasten all the windows?" unprofitable." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three enter into my head. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said stood on the top of it. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "No bad?" conduct the inquiry." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the Assizes." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It waste of energy." constraint." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his with you alone." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed suddenly upon us." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "In San Francisco, a year ago." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "No, thank goodness, she did not." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the again before evening." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Imitated." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thought that she would have been so carried away." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the general public were present, then?" relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "And why in hopes?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill criminal. We have already had experience of such." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the him to go away.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled developed." to his chemical studies. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I light and attacked it." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I promise," said Holmes. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no and effective." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Very good.' "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in power." gbnewby@pglaf.org "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this digesting their breakfasts at home." during which he might have communicated with his friend the