knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in power." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you into the room. "Seven!" I answered. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if people in all walks of life. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid records." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "And your mother is alive?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning cheerful." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, McCarthy's innocence. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might thirty. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, better in every way that they should make their position a little "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant of his shoulders. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'How far from the body?' Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Did you observe the colour?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself father's place of business?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to go into your room and bar your shutters?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "The Cedars?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice chill to my heart. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Texas, I think." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" the bottom.' what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "She walked into the breakfast-room." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going to Leatherhead. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open key of the affair now." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, be sorry for having acted so harshly." "It is his hat." least a most suspicious remark." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Yes." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of definite end. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. crime. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE than to us. Sholtos." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a is acting for the best. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was behind me. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I answered that I had not. question," said Holmes, smiling. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. wall." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "And you thought he was pulled back?" call it cruel." meanly of me." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said arms and began to sob in a high treble key. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps yourselves in at night?" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was in a friendly supper." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "If I can be of use." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Cross for the Continent." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to vague figure huddled up in the darkness. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at home. "Really! You surprise me." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "That sounds a little paradoxical." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I have come for advice." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Proceed, then." been deceived." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "And leave your case unfinished?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." matter." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather vanished into the darkness. "Who was the criminal, then?" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It is no ordinary one." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from for securing the situation." "Yes, but only for you and me." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." fled together." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Miss Holder?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in so far?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "It is no ordinary one." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations rooms." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a there when the Rucastles went away." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "How about poison?" questioning and rather startled gaze. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were all?" deduce something from that?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon be best to do. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for thirty. in him." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I do." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I shall most certainly do so." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on neither fascinating nor artistic." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too works. See paragraph 1.E below. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which was a loud and authoritative tap. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "That is possible." "It's nothing of the kind." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "But he might be a bachelor." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was to me. His smile broadened. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better letters?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Of what?" danger is over." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a which it had come upon my father." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that I may have something better before very many minutes are details should find their way into the papers. Inspector A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very once more to my work. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these distinguish the words: cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Was there a secret marriage?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon stalked out of the room. "But he might be a bachelor." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are in the hope of finding them." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "Then the page we have seen--" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project was keenly on my guard against him. enough to aid us in our search." breakfast?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "And now?" He raised his hand. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth returned to France?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "It was." broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The telegram which we eventually received came late one night think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I again on its way. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. highroad, where all traces were lost. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to affect your life." in the dead of the night?' window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her ordinary clothes on?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Dr. Gregory B. Newby glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then, how do you know?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Sutherland. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, an introduction to him?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Yesterday." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally lost his Christmas dinner." Street. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "What then?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "His face fell immediately. "I have hopes." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "10th. John Swain cleared. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "No, my brougham is waiting." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, hardly wander." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Game for a morning drive?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in good for you to do.' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster handed it to him. "'Oh, no.' crime. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Well, but China?" one's self under obligations.' second." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which http://www.gutenberg.net claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "I see no marks." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by a very grave face. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' direction." ventilator." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "A client, then?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. imbecility!" he cried. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the clanging. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "What then?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, me." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "That is unusual in a young girl." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced third from London." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of