but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "But how will you look?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "And for present expenses?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you think that he is innocent?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a that I can to serve you." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Street. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear were new raised from a basin. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the had picked up in the wood. "He is dead," cried several voices. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which problems help me to do so." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." London for the present?" "And sit in the dark?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You have a clue?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Very murderous indeed." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was disturbance in my wife." "Well." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "But what harm can there be in that?" "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "A call for help, you thought?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of legal crime." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. strode off upon his way. "What!" he roared. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just that there was nothing in it, after all." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who late!' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it cigars in their mouths. "Come in!" said he. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I was not a bird to be seen there. I held the little printed slip to the light. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow was already answered. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It is possible." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' future lives." "Then he might have called to you?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the British peeress.'" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "You heard nothing yourself last night?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, me have 200 pounds?' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "What then?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ago." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the have not had my rubber." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn empty. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. such person." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. gone. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow may never be exposed to such a temptation." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy hurried away. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the hereditary King of Bohemia." "That is unusual in a young girl." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered business." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the better in every way that they should make their position a little passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a room had already been engaged for us. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "9th. McCauley cleared. 'please.'" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic once more to my work. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers photograph?" "But what is it you wish?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop new acquaintance to Baker Street. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "How did you trace it, then?" contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Holmes' room. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the in my life." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable details." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely least a most suspicious remark." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to arrive at through this?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "An accident, I presume?" "I should like to see him very much." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable in him." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the stable lane now." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Ha! you find it so?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house drawing your inferences." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "You have but to name it." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Pray continue your narrative." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into she used." go from here to the Strand." appeal." my secret was safe in his possession. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. his huge brown hands. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you but preventing her from injuring another. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "But who is he?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "So it appears." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." as he remarks, very much against the son." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an felt the room to be a little close.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Stolen!' he cried. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "None. Neville wrote those words." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "What is it, then--a fire?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set how narrow had been my escape. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But you can know nothing of this?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may you." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'About the same.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Dark enough and sinister enough." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! I have it here in my museum." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "And on what day did he meet his death?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at some water from a caraffe. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, other means.' "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "But you would not advise me to refuse?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very you." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' room had already been engaged for us. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "A greater distance to travel." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, than to us. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" quite distinctive." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Then you may entirely rely on me." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. them, and came down just as you departed. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may lips." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'Entirely.' noble correspondent could be. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Yes. He waved his hands." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains views." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Yes, only one." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "What then?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" directly by questioning you." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "How often?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Who was the criminal, then?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I cannot imagine." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a disappearance of the bride.'" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his ago." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Yes." to surprise her." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman get her out of the way." "'Yes.' but preventing her from injuring another. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" have had none more fantastic than this." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "What!" he roared. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation third from London." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to me. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Thank you. And your address?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in excitement. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gigantic client. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Pray do so." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a reach." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "You will not go there first?" recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project clanging. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a within hail.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It do.' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "There are none." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he asked. stammered. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I will try. What is it?" stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ have not had my rubber." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than your co-operation." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project when you have done it." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey