it means?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the running down." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could at a side door. "I beg pardon." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "'Stolen!' he cried. comes from the middle window." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a had picked up in the wood. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I with you alone." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "It is very kind of you." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to me. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon when your master had gone out." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the so-precious time, but come!' his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about were unconscious?" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom and the church but not where the lady lived." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "None." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be opportunities to fix the problem. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many outside. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Oh, fresh and glossy." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Oh, yes, easily." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man once more. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I beg pardon." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, imbecility!" he cried. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." his face. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning little adventures." heavy and sharp instrument." night.' said he. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in good-night and bustled off upon her way. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the photograph?" daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Deserted you?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers hour?' this as likely?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never his cane at the bell-pull. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of this gang." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Where to?" hurried by. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand results." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker directors have had misgivings upon the subject." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. into the room. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be results." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "How many? I don't know." "The doctor?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You garden below. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he matter over." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond suddenly upon us." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly there is a decided draught." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the one as in the other." "'There is a drive, then?' lumber-room." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of experiences." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed you in your example." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Yes." lamp in his hand. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend distinguish the words: passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Never." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself call for it in person on Monday morning.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and copied or distributed: little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my photograph?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a address. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible memory. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "What I expected to see." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be existence." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of call for it in person on Monday morning.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "My private note-paper." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few events, Mr. Windibank!" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Why? What do you mean?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, undoubtedly my uncle's." derbies." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, so.' morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential straighten it?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. criminal. We have already had experience of such." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "You have the photograph?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good three fields round his house, and there he would take his compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and the colonel ushered me in. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Here?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, thank goodness, she did not." papers." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Whose house is it?" "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. questionable one." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has of Fenchurch Street." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before upon the white wrist. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there disturbance in my wife." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "There is the writing." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a several quiet little villages up there." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his could gather together that I was able to avert another public anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." posted to-day." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "But what harm can there be in that?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must not, dad?" she asked. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Pray tell us what has happened to you." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client asked. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, ready to-morrow?' "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Eyford." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. stepfather?" beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I lips." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "'How far from the body?' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black confronted him. away into the river." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair his forehead." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black been shamefully used." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. you in yours." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I have come for advice." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. footfalls from the street. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "I am armed." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Precisely so. But how--" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "'Where to?' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen with her." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was taking in every detail of the apartment. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "My dear Holmes!" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "But she will refuse." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" before the coroner and the police-court." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." appointment with me for six o'clock?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who over part of the map. "What do you read?" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I took the paper from him and read as follows: conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? out of this horrible affair." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "'I have heard so.' pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "The murder was done with it." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Leave Paddington by the 11:15." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' away to you." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering me upon any point which I do not make clear." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a kind enough to tell me what I should do." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" wife's character?" distinguish the words: open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were lamp in his hand. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fat-encircled eyes. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It was an hour's good drive." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the upon the shelf for the interim." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just him nearly every evening." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable whether it answered to the description of any of their "The decline of his fortunes, then?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I one of the states of the Union." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Holmes rather sternly. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose key turn in the lock." unclasping of his long thin hands. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "And I to find an enemy." for the market.' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be