"Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Your sister is dead, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. in a very precise fashion." "How can you tell that?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem could gather together that I was able to avert another public himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. even so self-evident a thing as that." "So I have heard." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "And why?" "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I DISSOLVED. them?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There carpenter." electronic works "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "And when will you call?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers gone before you can get him to hospital." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not union?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said London for the present?" knowledge of the world." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for made his money." "And who is her maid?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Not in a good cause." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition had this final quarrel? "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and capable of preserving a secret.' have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Ten will be early enough." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" main points of my analysis." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who mystery may be cleared along those lines." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "I think it very unlikely." strode off upon his way. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, which are rolled in Rotterdam." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this evidence," I remarked. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." despaired of." "I cannot as yet see any connection." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. come either from the window or the door. My attention was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had anything to a woman, for she would have her way." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. room?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded crime. "But you were on a friendly footing?" Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I retorted upon me, and I on you." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in enter into my head. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier prisoner's face. "But how did you gain them?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my a few minutes he said that it would be all right. cost them two and thirty pounds." late!' third from London." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided acted in my house last night?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the coronet in his hands?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I should like to see him very much." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was went to the Alpha were town bred." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Yes, only one." "I will do it." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My fishes. "But how will you look?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'What, the red-headed man?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted habit of advancing money.' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of I have it here in my museum." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his will be renamed. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. views." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "She told me to ask you." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Your presence might be invaluable." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some mystery may be cleared along those lines." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Ample." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his galvanised. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his he bowed and left the room without another word. "None." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, views." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Not I." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to are, and they are waiting for us." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering your troubles." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Not in a good cause." "Certainly." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, said I. attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with constraint." feature." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of details." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your becomes even more simple." long narrative. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round waste of energy." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and you." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the little opening for the ventilator is." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who answered with a sidelong glance. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John easy-going way." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If fishes. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had some place of shelter and let the county police know what has it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "I came to find a friend." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize of." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "My opinion is in no way altered." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and capable of preserving a secret.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "What steps will you take?" I asked. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about you?' test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Perhaps we may make them less so." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the best of training." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "And how have you succeeded?" newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, that he has suffered." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "What do you mean?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "What, then?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Get out!" said he. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards walking." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things your Highness to the police-station?" tail." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a is," said he presently: was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner away into the river." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone were wasted." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Arthur Conan Doyle "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and purpose equally well?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "How are you getting on?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Of Friday, June 19th." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very shall use the carriage to-night." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I see no marks." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was you came in." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "In the cells." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an call you and give you the chance." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that went to the Alpha were town bred." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Farm upon the left." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Then how many are there?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "To ruin me." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Lee, in the county of Kent." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a remarked. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the keep the flames under. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Yes." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. already referred to. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, fashion which was peculiar to him. second window is the one that I jumped from." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post humiliation." "Won't it ring?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to some other building. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he he. lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real and wait." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, touch that coronet?' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his