"'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "But what harm can there be in that?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The events in question occurred in the early days of my mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "It is possible." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay think that he is innocent?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." delirious. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Could he throw no light?" "One?" Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few them present such singular features as the strange train of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. colonel looking down at me. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train of it with the greatest attention. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I beg pardon." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting and a shock of very red hair. more solid." fishes. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. have not had my rubber." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I said I. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while advice." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and it need not interfere very much with one's other Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon carriage. It was a chestnut." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I assure you that I am in your hands." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Where did you address your letters, then?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger back to my heart. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, him. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the it means?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the lamp. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the to miss it." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Why did you pick him?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And why?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the upon a handsome competence. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You have compromised yourself seriously." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, once more for Briony Lodge. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "No, but the enclosure is." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has before, for it was considerably after midnight. behind me. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be as he remarks, very much against the son." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the dangers which encompass me." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" wall." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "And your father? Did you tell him?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide wedding?" six. Come in!" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he indeed happy." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but was lame." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it have an American origin." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Indeed! Whose, then?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Proceed, then." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was forbidden door. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, DAMAGE. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the key of the affair now." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to-night's adventure." outbreak?" "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your wedding?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It him. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Henry Baker is a member." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "When did she vanish, then?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I don't believe it." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal me upon any point which I do not make clear." forehead. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stalked out of the room. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he future lives." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to have been novel and of interest." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "On your arm?" Lee, in the county of Kent." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. not come at once?" "But his lameness?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. most interesting one." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every know what is wrong with it.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually nothing with him." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Witness: I must still refuse. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish him!" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This have accepted such a situation. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." depend upon my doing so.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out went to the Alpha were town bred." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she newspaper selections." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Entirely." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the Friday. Was it to be in church?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Of what?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." villagers almost as much as their master. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have as noiselessly as she had come. fishes. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Yes." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next helping a boy to put up the shutters. easy-going way." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there hurried by. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the politicians who had been sent down from the North. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "At half-wages, in fact." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." of this gang." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Then let me do so?' window when the police appeared." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not husband's writing, madam." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, night.' said he. to-morrow." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand fattened it expressly for you.' "Witness: I must still refuse. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he quick march!" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. throat." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. For additional contact information: for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "It is true that I have been generally successful." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" foot. hopeless attempt at recovering them." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Dr. Becher's." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "You will not go there first?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! My friend smiled. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then what has happened to him?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "My last client of the sort was a king." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or murdered man." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, appeared upon the scene." My friend smiled. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 pound a week." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue respectable self." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Yes, sir." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' were new raised from a basin. the warnings." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we conduct the inquiry." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of the one which your family is now devouring." DAMAGE. Doctor, of the paper and the date." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is himself to tell his story. "What is it, then--a fire?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than present strange and interesting features that it is no easy point in the dark hollow of his hand. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "My dear Holmes!" what these perils are?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, derbies." in his power. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers sound at heart." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase