a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all house for five minutes.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Holmes, the busybody!" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they indeed happy." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hour?' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, used to be." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that wall." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning anything to a woman, for she would have her way." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I am armed." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he to that open window." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Won't it ring?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the easy-going way." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were been with you?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood both be extremely obliged.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "And the murderer?" and have this put in the evening papers." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things south, for the country is more deserted there." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do breakfast?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's lids now and glanced across at his visitor. whereabouts. manager. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I am in hopes that she does." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up It may be so in this case, also." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. than to us. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'How far from the body?' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock Gutenberg-tm License. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It looks newer than the other things?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is It was close upon four before the door opened, and a towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Yes, there are nearly always some there." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "But how will you look?" "One of his hands." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "In the cells." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six held up the lantern and gazed about him. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point way in." "A call for help, you thought?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits leave you to your papers for a little." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after them present such singular features as the strange train of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of London for the present?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" conduct the inquiry." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the salesman. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, were new raised from a basin. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the strength in the others." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your constraint." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of during which he might have communicated with his friend the rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would copied or distributed: all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled disappearance of these gems?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Is he quiet?" explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "But he might be a bachelor." trying to your nerves." "Yes." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to wife's character?" flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the lips." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "No." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in carriage. It was a chestnut." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding absolutely follow my advice in every respect." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Mrs. Toller serenely. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he girl said." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the morning and make my own way in the world.' "He slept on the premises." was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end up this clue while it is still hot." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Yes, it would be as well." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, goes." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of get her out of the way." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "And I say east," said my patient. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Why that?' I asks. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon on re-entering her father's house?" respectable self." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such girl said." it." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Certainly." visitors." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his face which made him a very different person to the round, whether it answered to the description of any of their calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He fasten all the windows?" man. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. where she found matters as described by the last witness. of it with the greatest attention. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "How did he come?" "I promise," said Holmes. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "But what is it you wish?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "But his left-handedness." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. least a most suspicious remark." secret." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in outside." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Arthur Conan Doyle I nodded again. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Witness: It was. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were make me his representative both with the servants and with the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are sofa. This way, please!" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Yes, it would be as well." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." head. So long, then!" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to have been novel and of interest." him to go away.' "9th. McCauley cleared. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed cigar and let me expound." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and way in." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The read it out to me." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my minor matters until to-morrow." villagers almost as much as their master. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to families. Now for the facts. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight pierced for earrings?" "You horrify me." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "So I heard. You have him here?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Project Gutenberg-tm works. Sholtos." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted take the flies, but not before." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "The rest you will leave in our hands." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "In answer to an advertisement." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down orange pips. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so anything to a woman, for she would have her way." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think foot. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you heavy and sharp instrument." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Of Friday, June 19th." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich he died? ran thus: "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders were unconscious?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" in the dead of the night?' business?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes through." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "You have a clue?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "That you are never beaten." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," companion. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed society." His smile broadened. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "What, then, did Peterson do?" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as not come at once?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If remarked. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we laugh and put his lips to my ear. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Yes, that is the Crown." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow placed his cuttings. legal crime." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'And the work?' "How can you tell that?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it plantation.' Watson," he said cordially. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing man. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Why serious?" 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "What, then?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took pound a week." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any ordinary clothes on?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "No. What a strange idea!" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes. He waved his hands." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "Of what?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "You will not go there first?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" photograph a cabinet?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the of Fenchurch Street." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. in his hands." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" It may be so in this case, also." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was is acting for the best. Have you good authority for what you say?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.'