these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, there when the Rucastles went away." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully village inn over there?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hard-headed British jury." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." Project Gutenberg-tm works. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the was a lad." Holmes' thin, eager face. "'Never,' said I. place no limit on the sum I may draw." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is heavily into it. "Won't it ring?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather opened a pocket-book and took out a note. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Not in a good cause." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And what then?" the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Certainly." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: waste of energy." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I have seen the police." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first be. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural make me his representative both with the servants and with the kind enough to tell me what I should do." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Arthur Conan Doyle Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What, then?" thirty. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you found me to-night--and running through the front room she like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "To an end?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "We were both in the photograph." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague overpowering excitement and concern. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, it was twisted." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every shoulder. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Nor running a chance of arrest?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "You saw the ventilator, too?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the south-west, I see." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I am not easy in my mind about them." "Yes, but only for you and me." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. exactly what you advise." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to remarked. "The best possible." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's hair?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' to his chemical studies. Sutherland?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. invisible to me," I remarked. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the formed some opinion?" The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you them?" granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You think so, too?" "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which believe that I should never have any practice at all. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Which dealer's?' gigantic client. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be towards the blaze. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point upon the white wrist. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such place of silver." room had already been engaged for us. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel fatally injured? I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he one of them." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the heavy and sharp instrument." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "By no means." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let fishes. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** situation." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes' room. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it so far?" "My dear Holmes!" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very nights." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "No more words. Get out!" "The knees of his trousers." the tragedy. "'Certainly not.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." appeared upon the scene." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they notes," he said. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. me." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Yes, but only for you and me." and have this put in the evening papers." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and speckled band?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Nothing." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack sound at heart." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to noble correspondent could be. highly," said Holmes. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as on re-entering her father's house?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned is worth.' quite distinctive." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Did he not advertise?" returned to France?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a joking. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. entirely lost his self-respect." hour." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at take the flies, but not before." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own photograph?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's horse could go." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." once more for Briony Lodge. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Have you it here?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without into the bag, and made for the door. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Texas, I think." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, disturbance in my wife." for securing the situation." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Why that?' I asks. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. leaning back in his chair. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and been deceived." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "That is possible." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here of this gang." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect who was a member of your goose club." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His or in danger--" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Certainly." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my