signal between you and your father? wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to shaken than I had ever seen him. "That is easily got." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "It is a murder, then?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the front of me. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always one else, I think." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "A call for help, you thought?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I might have a private word with us. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, she to prove their authenticity?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I fear not." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, before, for it was considerably after midnight. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have instincts rose up against that laugh. laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yes, I have one waiting." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What second window is the one that I jumped from." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "On Monday." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Yes, all." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Very murderous indeed." straighten it?" "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Absolutely none." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "I shall most certainly do so." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something yet." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my been with you?" not, dad?" she asked. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now have established a very serious case against the son of the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the running down." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I am in hopes that she does." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Perhaps I have." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Surrey." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with there when the Rucastles went away." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the morning and make my own way in the world.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "That's no good." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a been able to understand it, in a very few words. the coronet in his hands?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Get out!" said he. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this would then never go into court at all." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Henry Baker is a member." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Come in!" said Holmes. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting weighed down with some great anxiety. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and capable of preserving a secret.' your own bird, so if you wish--" purpose equally well?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in a friendly supper." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Pray let us have it, for all that." used to be." "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that prison!" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at been deceived." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Where to?' turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The little adventures." to me. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; http://www.gutenberg.net Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly dead, shall be safe with us." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Frequently." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Precisely." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "I have a cab outside." "And how did he make his money?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Was the window open?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." appeared upon the scene." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip morning." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so that I may have something better before very many minutes are for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Doctor, of the paper and the date." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: society." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Seven!" I answered. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that had picked up in the wood. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which wanted for ourselves." the house with me." from you?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. way: "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Precisely so. But how--" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he salesman. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I am following you closely," I answered. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I an introduction to him?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, the cause is excellent!" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "'Most admirably.' impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by The King stared at him in amazement. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying you." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "What I expected to see." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the back to my heart. "I have come for advice." "Breckinridge is his name." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I do." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of money should be paid at once.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Why? What do you mean?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Pool. "He is still with you, I presume?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when morning." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Then, as to money?" were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" will he say when he returns?" tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "Yes." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "And how did you find out?" "Certainly." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," out." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I promise," said Holmes. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Yes. He waved his hands." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "10th. John Swain cleared. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And how did you verify them?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Dirty?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Perhaps we may make them less so." rat could hardly pass through." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which characteristics, but those are the more obvious." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And your father? Did you tell him?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "'I am sure if I had known--' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George look upon these things in a different way." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure thought that she would have been so carried away." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "What! Had he lost his wife?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "But his left-handedness." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Never." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it perplexity from it to my illustrious client. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was fact, we may call it conclusive." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for swore that no one else had been in the front room during the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'As governess?' arrangements." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely is now desirous of getting those letters back." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant with you alone." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My Mary? Impossible!" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, place no limit on the sum I may draw." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that maiden herself was most instructive." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased or other trace. But how on earth--" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black place, I think that there is good ground to think that the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the