not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "No more words. Get out!" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed you." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest eavesdroppers?' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his foresight and the moral retrogression?" her also." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had said I. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to a little more before I quite committed myself. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Yes, certainly." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you in your example." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "But the mystery?" events, Mr. Windibank!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we which I could not give. He asked for Alice. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should if I call to-morrow?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his open." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, always that they were such commands as a lady might with "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A companion imperturbably. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of through." "A client, then?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls handed it to him. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "'Certainly not.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, ashen face. "Which are?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the crime. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly stammered. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of receipt of the work. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. done what I asked you, Jones?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Yes." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an in a very precise fashion." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new hour." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all him, that man would not have given me such complete information fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not go--none." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me my little problems." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers matters immensely." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "What are they?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent deduce something from that?" push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I will try. What is it?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he. "Entirely." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. States. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You have carte blanche." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that carried out of court." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand himself to tell his story. observed. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I fear not." the ceiling. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than III. "You don't mind breaking the law?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid just ask you whether you had heard it.' "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's voice, changing her seat as requested. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Look there!" said he. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose there!' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo dear old homesteads?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester see me here to avoid scandal." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to change my dress. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "I shall be delighted." father's young wife. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'What then?' I asked. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. visitors." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down habit of advancing money.' hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice sufficient punishment." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to that open window." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of over with notes and figures. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." orange pips. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the village inn over there?" "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the have been better. It is all right." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "And what did you learn from him?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his do." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "And now?" He raised his hand. even so self-evident a thing as that." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I shall be delighted." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "His face fell immediately. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the loss of it. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events next day. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Yes, sir." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in one or two places in England?' felt?" over here." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with train.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "In San Francisco, a year ago." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and it need not interfere very much with one's other permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." criminal. We have already had experience of such." mystery." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very house for five minutes.' "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if acted in my house last night?" served to weaken the effect. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and no precautions can guard against." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" redistribution. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck it right.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And now?" I asked. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he miles off. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chamber." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. answer." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, telegram would bring me down to your help." of." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of depend upon my doing so.' "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears burst out into a roar of laughter. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, asked. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil singular points about the case. What did the police think of the While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "It is no ordinary one." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur retorted upon me, and I on you." closely." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into hands. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "You don't mind breaking the law?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. persecution?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling him to be an active member of the medical profession." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Never to return." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, compunction about shooting them down." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small garden below. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, this as likely?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is learned something! Where are the gems?" if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a trying to your nerves." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been towards the blaze. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he of them has the shutters up.' lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into that before taking the final step I should like to submit the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get to have that photograph." side. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "No good news?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting awaited us upon the table. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, returned to France?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. little adventures." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Then I am your man." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Leadenhall Street--and--" advice." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "It is half-past ten now." "How can you tell that?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "That's no good." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other His smile broadened. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "But we can't all be." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. salesman. works. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." with some details as to your case." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his happened." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the King without delay." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No. What a strange idea!" way in." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my dead, shall be safe with us." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the States. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the dates and names. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "Bought." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, down. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the ways of our fellow-men." vanished into the darkness. this man was intellectual?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the closing the door. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of conversation I have gathered that they have been married about while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' as yours." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Was she in good spirits?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Yes." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time upon an income of about 60 pounds." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of I am not easy in my mind about them." think that he is innocent?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So