devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but key turn in the lock." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "In answer to an advertisement." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It certainly sounds feasible." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, paper in the air. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Oh, fresh and glossy." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Chief Executive and Director suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to go into your room and bar your shutters?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hurried away. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the stones. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the affection." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Dirty?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. go from here to the Strand." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Why did you beat the pavement?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "What will you say?" garden below. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words drawing your inferences." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then how many are there?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I that you saw all that I did." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to a more successful conclusion." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned and have this put in the evening papers." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Certainly, madam." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our stepfather?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The ashen face. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The examination of the premises, but without finding anything which anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate weapon." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence to miss it." "What do you mean?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "In heaven's name, what for?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside weapon." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know went to the Alpha were town bred." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), status with the IRS. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." evidence," I remarked. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has all?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could correct than the official force." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two envelope. bird of prey. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the foot. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear if only as a check to my own memory." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No good news?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Very murderous indeed." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Farm upon the left." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an made his money." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his to a more successful conclusion." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I guessed as much." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the bottom.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society certainly do as you advise." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial minor matters until to-morrow." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually footfalls from the street. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they interest. They are important, you understand, without being said he at last. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Literary Archive Foundation could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: anything to do with the matter?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the retorted upon me, and I on you." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Where, indeed?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who London for the present?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Very murderous indeed." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'I have already given you my word.' four million human beings all jostling each other within the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Certainly." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily narrative." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "How can you tell that?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged children over to America with him, so that I found myself without of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" highroad, where all traces were lost. all?" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard means taking possession of that which another person has a prior suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Of what?" characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Quite so." http://gutenberg.net/license). fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Will you go?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Precisely so. But how--" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that said he at last. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, it would be as well." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "But what is it you wish?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" Street. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "And on what day did he meet his death?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, of receipt of the work. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "He slept on the premises." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he which our visitor detailed to us. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all head. So long, then!" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, other means.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you companion. that I may have something better before very many minutes are one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "Yes." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining posted to-day." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Just look it up, then." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another business." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his one of them." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to clang of the bell. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a when your master had gone out." I shall continue with my miserable story. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Well, it is a possible supposition." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Where does the thing come from?' near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a prison!" congratulate you again." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'And the work?' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his bore every mark of being an average commonplace British head. So long, then!" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Not him." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "I beg pardon." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress ordinary clothes on?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. which are rolled in Rotterdam." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' of Fenchurch Street." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. people in all walks of life. His name is Francis Prosper." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the maid will bring up your coffee." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Murdered?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his back into the street. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "To ruin me." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'It is locked up,' I answered. dead, shall be safe with us." of them has the shutters up.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the his forehead." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done speckled band?" desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your seen the man in the road." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "What, then?" "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Holmes' room. McCarthy." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I ourselves in the office." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my friend's incisive reasoning. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the families. Now for the facts. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly never will be, entirely cleared up. papers must be those that are destroyed.' where we are going." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. investigation." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table papers diligently of late, have you not?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can your bag." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece,