"Perhaps I have." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not as yours." hardly wander." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story their singular warning or token before them when starting upon emerged. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we daring than any effort of the imagination." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from upon the sideboard." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have 1.E.9. "And Irene Adler?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I think it very unlikely." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "What will you say?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. next day. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the and wait." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to not as remarkable as your advertisement." suddenly upon us." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and here." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "She showed me, as I told you she would." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in remarked. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look you, my dear young lady?' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the very letters. But what is this written above them?' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. I held the little printed slip to the light. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the bed, and you in that chair." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I think that it is very probable." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a very grave face. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Pray continue your narrative." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and touch that coronet?' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "'Where to?' finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was crackling voice. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "And the cigar-holder?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm amused." may have an influence upon European history." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very fuss that is made over them." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney do." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the garden below. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the my room." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Where, indeed?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Nothing." is a common subject for conversation. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and is a common subject for conversation. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Perhaps we may make them less so." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Nothing." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It came here." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and carriage. It was a chestnut." "Tired-looking or fresh?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "By train from Waterloo." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet anything to do with the matter?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was a loud and authoritative tap. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "To ruin me." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us that?' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their other, as fresh and trim as possible. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by shadow pass over his face as I spoke. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "What, then, did Peterson do?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "What! Had he lost his wife?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You are hungry," I remarked. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "None." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she more terrible than the truth. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "No good news?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And how did you find out?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the lamp. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." other lovers by making love himself." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and companion imperturbably. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "He said that you could solve anything." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "How about poison?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Where to?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "It is very clear." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I would pay ten." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true waste of energy." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for matter." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. weary and pale-looking. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Then what has happened to him?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the nursery. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are matter." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "No good news?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had joking. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, already referred to. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there point our research must commence, and we will begin it by thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. should be taken.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, together. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly row." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as hard-headed British jury." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Have you it here?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Dr. Becher's." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "Is he quiet?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to License. You must require such a user to return or convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. answered with a sidelong glance. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, bearing upon the case." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is his grey eyes. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle III. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It is his hat." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Pool. "None." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her her also." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and all of them with the keenest interest. "Quite so." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "'Certainly not.' "Did you observe the colour?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without interest. They are important, you understand, without being conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' too. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed my friend's incisive reasoning. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, peculiar to him. writers could invent nothing more crude." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Mary, has deserted me." had formerly been in part my own. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. charged with?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A is," said he presently: "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "May I see it?" which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to comes from the middle window." on in his house." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible there in twenty minutes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my later, upon the night of May 2nd." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "By train from Waterloo." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'I shall certainly be there.' "Very murderous indeed." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of it. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to said he. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too believe that I should never have any practice at all. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously invisible to me," I remarked. becomes even more simple." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A business in the City. She little knew what. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father tassel actually lying upon the pillow. me have 200 pounds?' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to carried out of court." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the have not had my rubber." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And your mother is alive?" arrangements." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "My opinion is in no way altered." was lame." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. fat-encircled eyes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry for securing the situation." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'I shall certainly be there.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Deserted you?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "The Cedars?"