the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the occurred." John Swain, of St. Augustine. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it returned to France?" "That is it on the dressing-table." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "No." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary your troubles." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And what did you learn from him?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is coroner's jury." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "That is unusual in a young girl." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Entirely." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves over here." "None." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "And how in the world did you find them?" her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting frequently gained my first real insight into the character of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my examine." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, nice household for a young lady." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have I shall communicate with you." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. present." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to affect your life." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was and I shall be with you presently." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Where, indeed?" McCarthy." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Where is it, then?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no himself in a perplexing position. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "So I have heard." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and she might be summoned. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A searched, without anything being found which could incriminate ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to points to suicide?" "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive without a word or a look. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Doctor, of the paper and the date." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Foundation "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to change my dress. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if was a perfect sample of the class. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Well." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing whole matter to your consideration." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to less than 26s. 4d. own family. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. once more for Briony Lodge. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, dead, shall be safe with us." you understand?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could DISSOLVED. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "The gentleman I describe." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. this unhappy family?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "And that is--" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he invisible to me," I remarked. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "You are hungry," I remarked. "Yes." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival she might be summoned. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I see many objections to any such theory." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in matter over." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a up this clue while it is still hot." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, as he folded up the epistle. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It was an hour's good drive." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I have my revolver," said I. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Not at all. I only doubt--' How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was been with you?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of to miss it." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." my room." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Holmes, the busybody!" "Well, some hundreds of times." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the night.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly thin legs towards the fire. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "My dear Holmes!" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Foundation headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." suddenly upon us." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought became a certainty. held up the lantern and gazed about him. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the bottom.' the running down." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged constraint." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Holmes." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And why?" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need highroad, where all traces were lost. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "And Irene Adler?" questionable one." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he more terrible than the truth. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Oh, yes, easily." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts three of the beryls in it, was missing. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I have a cab outside." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "The murder was done with it." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better business." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in we went to search for him, face downward in a little prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "You have carte blanche." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a not fit the lock." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society me have 200 pounds?' This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "No, I had a dozen." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your your only hope of safety." them?" "Imitated." "So I am. Very much so." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to may have an influence upon European history." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed notes," he said. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "I have a cab outside." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly strode off upon his way. that there was nothing in it, after all." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly said I. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just furiously. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Doctor, of the paper and the date." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You horrify me." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted outside." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had nonsense.' humiliation." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "What I expected to see." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such the tragedy. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two be sorry for having acted so harshly." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, writer." over part of the map. "What do you read?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and empty. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until to a light-house. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll anything to a woman, for she would have her way." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Never." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Not in a good cause." weapon." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. thin legs towards the fire. Lee, in the county of Kent." interests were the same as his." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "And I." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I nodded to show that I had heard. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our place of silver." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Then the page we have seen--" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." presume?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can acted in my house last night?" there." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not excitement. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a kind enough to tell me what I should do." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Never to return." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than the date of his supposed suicide." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of them has the shutters up.' "My opinion is in no way altered." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I took the paper from him and read as follows: whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but little adventures." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR chance." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' bachelor.' practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I cost them two and thirty pounds." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of IS "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had leave you to your papers for a little." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to intrusion of other matters." one else, I think." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned,