what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "I have hopes." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question voice. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Very much so." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "You saw the ventilator, too?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which ways of our fellow-men." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hurried by. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as to-morrow." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand he. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "It's nothing of the kind." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from awkward doing business with an alias." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Witness: Nothing definite. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "The King of Scandinavia." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our you want, then?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in him!" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning http://gutenberg.net/license). "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the room while you explain this matter?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but threw himself down with his face to the pillow. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good in your London, you will know that the office of the company is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my affection." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me a few minutes he said that it would be all right. them?" bears upon the case?" With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes breakfast?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I came to find a friend." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I at my remark. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "In San Francisco, a year ago." some water from a caraffe. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Farm upon the left." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that pressing in one house as in another. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "You have compromised yourself seriously." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Certainly, madam." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "And what did you learn from him?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward made him keep the appointment." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little chemical work which was so dear to him. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his crime." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done and the church but not where the lady lived." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "The doctor?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far even of instruction." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one details." "Won't it ring?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. observed. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I and put his glass in his pocket. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, I nodded again. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes, from Horsham." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Well, it is a possible supposition." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to note?" "And how did you verify them?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I eavesdroppers?' sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not nothing of it?" the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a giving me time to thank him. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. make me his representative both with the servants and with the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and have this put in the evening papers." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and did not hear it also.' "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and prosperity to your house. Good-night." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Holmes' room. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Nothing." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch occurred." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was a perfect sample of the class. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," will he say when he returns?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "An accident, I presume?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a should be taken.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of for its centre. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "What will you say?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I think it very unlikely." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard tear off another piece?' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." companion quietly. have one." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Never to return." tell me that you intended to go into harness." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Well." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'I am sure if I had known--' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number felt the room to be a little close.' 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands where we are going." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Certainly." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond do.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to true." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "But to whom?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to which our visitor detailed to us. went to the Alpha were town bred." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us least a fellow-countryman. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Where did he live, then?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Breckinridge is his name." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "The knees of his trousers." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Not in the least." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the general public were present, then?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake distinguish the words: came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would even so self-evident a thing as that." "Come in!" said Holmes. returned to France?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to matter." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from felt?" glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into nice household for a young lady." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? do." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "It is possible." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between bears upon the case?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and my room." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual one's self under obligations.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I am all attention, madam." obstinate." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Henry Baker is a member." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to later, upon the night of May 2nd." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. an introduction to him?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey footfalls from the street. "Is he quiet?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was not a bird to be seen there. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler quite distinctive." "No good news?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. III. strength of mind to control. Cross for the Continent." Holmes' room. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Bought." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in