the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever asked. it were putty." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'I have heard so.' down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to take care of herself." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." 11:15.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after events, Mr. Windibank!" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to some other building. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm quick march!" similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." copied or distributed: towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the child." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Well, it is a possible supposition." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No?" "But his lameness?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Deserted you?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the salesman. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had third from London." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel look dissatisfied." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that chamber." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever room had already been engaged for us. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "What will you say?" the date of his supposed suicide." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold said he at last. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the jewels which you have stolen?' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my secret was safe in his possession. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It is no ordinary one." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "When did she vanish, then?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in to-night." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "It is a murder, then?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more good for you to do.' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. events than those which have happened in my own family." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or putting in the horse. observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "You did not overhear what they said?" "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Game for a morning drive?" guilty parties." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "It is no ordinary one." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Perfectly so." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did ourselves in the office." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "What will you do, then?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Game for a morning drive?" Surrey." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and indeed happy." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I shall use the carriage to-night." chance at all." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "And who is her maid?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and question. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such there has been an enclosure here!" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. there was no need for father to know." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Is he quiet?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William waste of energy." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. that I can to serve you." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I house for five minutes.' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the very letters. But what is this written above them?' purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter narrative." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tell him that I know him to be innocent." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the little trying to do so much typewriting?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "From his hat?" gone. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Ha! you find it so?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I came to find a friend." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up brandy and water within his reach. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert next day. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged whereabouts. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, experiences." it." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "Yes, at the mines." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "What!" he roared. "He said that you could solve anything." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the colonel looking down at me. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "But she will refuse." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Was there a secret marriage?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." been shamefully used." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back how narrow had been my escape. "I have solved it." stepfather?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, definite end. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "My last client of the sort was a king." "And you can do nothing until then?" in this way: freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in how narrow had been my escape. "Get out!" said he. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "One of the highest in England." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, with frightened eyes at his accuser. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it pictures, libraries, or plate. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a from the brougham. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "On your arm?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "When did it break out?" the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped stood on the top of it. "Your French gold?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," tell them apart.' convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "How did he come?" The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Have you good authority for what you say?" reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be some place of shelter and let the county police know what has perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. ordinary clothes on?" crime." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Nothing." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "I am in hopes that she does." "Certainly." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, http://www.gutenberg.net affection." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds occurred." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady one which it was hard to resist. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how vault. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a disturbance in my wife." business?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "That also I could fathom." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that upon the white wrist. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and instituted." "But we can't all be." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a that he will be back before evening." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "She walked into the breakfast-room." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across only touch the interest." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Precisely so. But how--" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Holmes." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks go--none." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and bell. Holmes whistled. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a letters?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Entirely." some water from a caraffe. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at anything to do with the matter?" beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step your troubles." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that call it cruel." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Not yet." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted whatever might befall. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "We were both in the photograph." think you a quite exceptional woman." tapping his fingers upon the table. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house became a certainty. "Witness: Nothing definite. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came straightened it out again. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called certainly not very gracious." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your hour." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Watson," he said cordially. "'I have heard so.' so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, Literary Archive Foundation you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "But how could you guess what the motive was?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in The events in question occurred in the early days of my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated husband's writing, madam." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I bears upon the case?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And