from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now be. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "'There is a drive, then?' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My dear Holmes!" kind enough to tell me what I should do." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But you were on a friendly footing?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Certainly." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been hardly wander." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the redistribution. him, that man would not have given me such complete information no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fact, we may call it conclusive." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to my little problems." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me father's young wife. again, where I was soon asleep. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news second window is the one that I jumped from." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his of the vacancies.' "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed system of imprisonment?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Why, what do you mean?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "But how?" darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting allusion to a rat. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "In what way?" asked Holmes. fat-encircled eyes. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." way in." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger before, for it was considerably after midnight. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "No, but the enclosure is." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "'Never,' said I. "'I am sure if I had known--' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the everything which you would wish to know." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round himself. "I should wish to." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who will be renamed. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Pray be precise as to details," said he. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a families. Now for the facts. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for forecastle of an emigrant ship. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that about here speaks of his kindness to him." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Your French gold?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is your co-operation." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper were unconscious?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the even of instruction." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." legal crime." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis nights." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the coronet in his hands?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "But how?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he room had already been engaged for us. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his key turn in the lock." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "No." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room could go. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "You think so, too?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is there when the Rucastles went away." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the said I. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which companion. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Nothing." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Sholtos." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks photograph a cabinet?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "One?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the photograph a cabinet?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "What can it mean?" I gasped. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a with the outside air!" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by quickly through a disagreeable task. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the conclusions. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and gives a meaning to it." cigar and let me expound." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and no precautions can guard against." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. behind me. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You voice. locked. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "You have compromised yourself seriously." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to he bowed and left the room without another word. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right was the fact that his father should, according to his account, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater look dissatisfied." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which are rolled in Rotterdam." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then she might be summoned. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that suddenly upon us." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "I answered that I had not. "Then I am your man." my secret was safe in his possession. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which conclusions. money should be paid at once.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "It is half-past ten now." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than reach." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I one of the states of the Union." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit families. Now for the facts. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with handed it to him. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sound at heart." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "And I." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came washing it down with a long draught of water. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Which are?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: best detective that ever lived. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the begun to whiten, even as mine has." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under you give your casting vote to?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Pray do so." "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Thank you. And your address?" amused." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The but preventing her from injuring another. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hurried by. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the this remarkable episode. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And from a noble client?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder what is your own theory as to what took place?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two will take you up to see the machine.' business matters.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "This photograph!" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." into the room. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And did you observe any change in her then?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, the roots. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I few hundred pounds.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it within hail.' which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Here?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some article?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on said he. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith of a light. other lovers by making love himself." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew light and attacked it." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at individual and becomes the badge of a society." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It to change my dress. clang of the bell. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something crackling voice. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But I have heard all that you have heard." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and a little more before I quite committed myself. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Proceed, then." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. business came to an end." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect papers on the sundial.'" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have ways including including checks, online payments and credit card next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Holmes." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' suddenly upon us." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your