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fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small children over to America with him, so that I found myself without A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and 'please.'" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs His smile broadened. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. the station." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Yes, he did." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering bell. Holmes whistled. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Certainly." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town derbies." new duties?' in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." you came in." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt been able to understand it, in a very few words. who was a member of your goose club." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "She walked into the breakfast-room." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. approach us with offers to donate. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once that I am arrested." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The murder was done with it." "Not in the least." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Not social, then?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend mysterious end." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. did not hear it also.' manager. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "What shall I do?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the salesman. highroad, where all traces were lost. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My mysterious business." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "I think it very unlikely." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then I do not see the point." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "When did she vanish, then?" "I am still in the dark." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can papers diligently of late, have you not?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, It may be so in this case, also." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his companion quietly. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between me what he had done with the three missing stones. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not about here speaks of his kindness to him." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "The King of Scandinavia." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Yes." is acting for the best. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square your co-operation." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "So I am. Very much so." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "I shall most certainly do so." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen this unhappy family?" their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Yes, it would be as well." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Ha! you find it so?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. to me. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE this truth that in these little records of our cases which you layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of little trying to do so much typewriting?" good for you to do.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But how could you guess what the motive was?" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity the side-table." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Yes, it would be as well." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I am all attention, madam." "Will you bet, then?" "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "She told me to ask you." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "A client, then?" address. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which arrangements." pierced for earrings?" the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his your bag." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My astonishment. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "'What then?' I asked. the general public were present, then?" "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the night.' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily habit of advancing money.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was have I gained?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of the vacancies.' "That is easily got." that he will be back before evening." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of Fenchurch Street." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Witness: I must still refuse. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To my little problems." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and inquire as to the address." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the are, I think, all that we need." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "No?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, said I. had a long day." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the our word." point in the dark hollow of his hand. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that meanly of me." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send The telegram which we eventually received came late one night doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Leadenhall Street--and--" fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, tell him that I know him to be innocent." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "It came here." conceal it?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a strength of mind to control. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB I leave." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged For additional contact information: If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by of the way of danger. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after hands. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" were wasted." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge excitement. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice which we had just quitted. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Your sister is dead, then?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "But how?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "Where did he live, then?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the you give your casting vote to?" "'Entirely.' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Yes, sir." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes." to tackle the facts." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one our word." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his became a certainty. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the very letters. But what is this written above them?' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And it is--" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he south, for the country is more deserted there." "You think so, too?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Witness: I must still refuse. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the to miss it." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save been deceived." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish October 9, 1890. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most rose-bushes. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You know me, then?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "I cannot say that I have." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I was afraid that you were engaged." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and strength of mind to control. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get to change my dress. "Murdered?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "None." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his wife has ceased to love him." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "No good news?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage foot. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from it." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine row." burst out into a roar of laughter. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I was mad--insane." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet towards the blaze. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Witness: Nothing definite. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'Ample.' for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must entirely devoid of interest." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees breakfast and whispered something to her husband. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "The Cedars?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a trying to your nerves." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles