my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are society." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the me. crowd. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of him. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the envelope. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Nearly eleven." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out something of him before." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Not particularly." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, your troubles." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "In heaven's name, what for?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your papers diligently of late, have you not?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in through." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the was keenly on my guard against him. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Why serious?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a fasten all the windows?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was strength in the others." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you than was visible to me." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Oh, no.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly cup of tea. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I have seen the police." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will His name is Francis Prosper." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness guilty parties." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. back into the street. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Nothing?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds meanly of me." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Well, it is a possible supposition." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the gigantic client. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Yes, sir." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Yes, certainly." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles I approached. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Lee, in the county of Kent." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Sholtos." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a there was no need for father to know." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this the matter." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It cheerful." was not a bird to be seen there. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. until night should bring an explanation. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in the hope of finding them." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or evidence," I remarked. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Farm upon the left." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "No, I am descending." "He is dead," cried several voices. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the Assizes." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The man. I know him from the photograph." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our keep the flames under. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which leaning back in his chair. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty use an arc-and-compass breastpin." with frightened eyes at his accuser. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this ourselves in the office." "'Ten to two.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It excitement. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working even of instruction." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and that you wished to speak to me?' American. Then who could this American be, and why should he docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander business." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Miss Holder?" said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the reach." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Very murderous indeed." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City forbidden door. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." His smile broadened. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I will get her to show me." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Very much so." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It is his hat." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Where does the thing come from?' "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'Certainly not.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a not as remarkable as your advertisement." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "There is the writing." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her voice, changing her seat as requested. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little one of them." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and http://gutenberg.net/license). possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I shall continue with my miserable story. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of a light. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "None." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, get her out of the way." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "No?" the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my strong reason behind." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "He slept on the premises." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Watson," he said cordially. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' matter." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the off." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, back into the street. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per The note was undated, and without either signature or address. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet intimate personal affairs in this public manner." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea directly by questioning you." and all of them with the keenest interest. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the Red-headed League." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, but only for you and me." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Did you become engaged then?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "'Yes, it was gone.' in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From been able to understand it, in a very few words. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases pierced for earrings?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that His name is Francis Prosper." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Yes?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance third from London." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that she to prove their authenticity?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this http://www.gutenberg.net and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "And how did you verify them?" investigation." garden below. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "By all means." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "No." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united taking in every detail of the apartment. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up was a loud and authoritative tap. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "One of the highest in England." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "'Certainly not. But why?' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again jewels which you have stolen?' hands. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the window, rose as we entered. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, which our visitor detailed to us. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I bears upon the case?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is was a lad." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door was not a bird to be seen there. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "What shall I do?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and in the port of London." "If I can be of use." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a think that he is innocent?" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer character. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ourselves in the office." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," night.' said he. husband's writing, madam." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" already been minutely examined." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad