that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would side. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, than was visible to me." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been coroner's jury." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand secret." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else her also." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No. What a strange idea!" to you." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of done what I asked you, Jones?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your salesman. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see following enigmatical notices: recover the gem." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective key of the affair now." was already answered. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." note?" blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You forget that I know nothing about it." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in did not hear it also.' the stones. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of do you make of it all?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Frequently." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It must be recovered." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a your Highness to the police-station?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in chair. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and developed." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices thought that she would have been so carried away." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. What do you deduce from it?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Your sister is dead, then?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Stolen." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the coronet at all injured?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Precisely." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I 11:15.' roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "My dear Holmes!" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "No." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "What office?" Pope's Court. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Street. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at less than 26s. 4d. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love business." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "But how did you gain them?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the devil!" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for events, Mr. Windibank!" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "You heard nothing yourself last night?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You forget that I know nothing about it." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little respectable self." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his served to weaken the effect. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa him!" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I came to find a friend." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the very morning of the wedding." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. true." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been suggested at once that there must be a communication between the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out upon an income of about 60 pounds." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Of what day?" finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here helping a boy to put up the shutters. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man records." "Then I can wait in the next room." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a of the vacancies.' fuss that is made over them." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I corner of the building. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Countess of Morcar's?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "The Cedars?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened conversation I have gathered that they have been married about into her hand at the door and which lured her within their from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Will you go?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so your only hope of safety." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say tension within him. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." disturbance in my wife." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." off." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Which surely he restored to their owner?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been meant it for the best. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "And from a noble client?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Surrey." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "And for present expenses?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called brain must have something in it." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," together. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I am about to be married." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ill-usage at the hands of fortune. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has she to prove their authenticity?" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "It is very clear." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "You are hungry," I remarked. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'Which dealer's?' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" tied." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Upon what point?" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed your most interesting statement." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I shall continue with my miserable story. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." may have an influence upon European history." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It is his hat." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the stammered. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' if only as a check to my own memory." it." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his down. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the lamp in his hand. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so weighed down with some great anxiety. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Because he was handy and would come cheap." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." derbies." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her despaired of." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Yes." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, fire. You quite follow me?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. presented more singular features than that which was associated what do you think they found in the pockets?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, secret." what these perils are?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from spare." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of good for you to do.' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Entirely." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Edgeware Road. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a comes from the middle window." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery prepare for the new role I have to play." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "An accident, I presume?" and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your habit of advancing money.' clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "You have a clue?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to his chemical studies. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears indiscretion." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Look there!" said he. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." I shall communicate with you." ways of our fellow-men." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate despaired of." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." was a loud and authoritative tap. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the closing the door. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes will be renamed. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "'About the same.' X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to arrive at through this?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them joking. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud through." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, vault. union?" respectable self." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, I held the little printed slip to the light. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, before the coroner and the police-court." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Certainly,' I answered. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and effective." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in have had none more fantastic than this." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual not fit the lock." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of certainly do as you advise." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have an introduction to him?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H get the tickets." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine."