"Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Farm upon the left." wanted for ourselves." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "That is easily got." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of 1.E.9. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters that would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a I. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I should be immensely obliged to you." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I stepfather?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Where, indeed?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at tell him that I know him to be innocent." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'As governess?' cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Dirty?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the house for five minutes.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "The rest you will leave in our hands." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "It is possible." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and interests were the same as his." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but hour." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Doctor, of the paper and the date." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to of the one which your family is now devouring." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business strong and stiff." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of his shoulders. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate least a fellow-countryman. send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the posted to-day." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some address. "And you don't know his address?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Then you may entirely rely on me." forecastle of an emigrant ship. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had meanly of me." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. said I. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will heavy and sharp instrument." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her new acquaintance to Baker Street. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own room had already been engaged for us. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as which are rolled in Rotterdam." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "No, I had a dozen." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the see a sister of mine apply for." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, I. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And how did you find out?" sound at heart." "One?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I am not easy in my mind about them." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when before, for it was considerably after midnight. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He trifles." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If garden below. "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in key turn in the lock." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to my special province." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which mystery." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered a room. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Why serious?" "No?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and a shock of very red hair. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked in the port of London." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "And you don't know his address?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, have got?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and them present such singular features as the strange train of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what interests were the same as his." there has been an enclosure here!" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, but only for you and me." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell you." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes power." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried you do it in twenty minutes!' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." fat-encircled eyes. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he once more to my work. "What is it?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'Very good.' security.' appeared upon the scene." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. everything which you would wish to know." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "He said that you could solve anything." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I leave." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It was an hour's good drive." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I point in the dark hollow of his hand. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are compunction about shooting them down." window when the police appeared." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one fuss that is made over them." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Stoke Moran." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "No, my brougham is waiting." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "But how?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What!" he roared. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a way in." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up been able to understand it, in a very few words. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without security.' so far?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. good-night and bustled off upon her way. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and in a very precise fashion." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "The best possible." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. weighed down with some great anxiety. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and down from London to inquire more deeply into it." October 9, 1890. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Indeed! Whose, then?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their works. See paragraph 1.E below. "You have carte blanche." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for opportunities to fix the problem. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I in a friendly supper." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I answered that I had not. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter politicians who had been sent down from the North. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. a room. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." more solid." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving rooms." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "No. What a strange idea!" wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon signal between you and your father? about here speaks of his kindness to him." "A confidential servant?" and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to have an American origin." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Were they all fastened this morning?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Not I." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I cannot imagine." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old