"Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I cannot tell." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "On your arm?" with you?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from brandy and water within his reach. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very friends, not even his own brother. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the iron safe, which he closed upon it. note?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of the efforts of the United States government and of the better of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." make me his representative both with the servants and with the me." "Your sister is dead, then?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he late!' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the highroad, where all traces were lost. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "You are hungry," I remarked. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the populous neighbourhood." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held point in the dark hollow of his hand. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I have it here in my museum." would apply.' weapon." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes, they were peculiar boots." residence of the great financier. like gravel from a pit.' son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of other means.' letters?" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "'Then let me do so?' address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "She showed me, as I told you she would." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even character. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence purpose equally well?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It looks newer than the other things?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been four million human beings all jostling each other within the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic him and tried to hold him back. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk the tragedy. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "The King of Scandinavia." "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a some terrible trap for her." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Oh, yes, easily." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Where does the thing come from?' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Do you go out much in society?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "And it is--" "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about nothing of it?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Street. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin be there in time for your coming." "They are typewritten," I remarked. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "What! a murderous attack?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was a perfect sample of the class. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no prepare for the new role I have to play." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' maid will bring up your coffee." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door room had already been engaged for us. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face bearing upon the case." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. works. See paragraph 1.E below. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of status with the IRS. strength of mind to control. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a forehead. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if bed dies. Does not that strike you?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he opened a pocket-book and took out a note. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "But you were on a friendly footing?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was it brought him the coronet? woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible within hail.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I was certainly surprised to find you there." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep their singular warning or token before them when starting upon where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "She will not sell." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Imitated." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "So I have heard." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Your presence might be invaluable." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'What, the red-headed man?' "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, some terrible trap for her." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch there when the Rucastles went away." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very lamp in his hand. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Literary Archive Foundation slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all clang of the bell. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was I held the little printed slip to the light. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you companion. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in For additional contact information: It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in one or two places in England?' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a business matters.' the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You did not overhear what they said?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but important." to arrive at through this?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." brain must have something in it." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had man. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Which dealer's?' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'And the work?' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us some city in a dream. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup what these perils are?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I test if we have an answer to our advertisement." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he could not have written that. It is the German who is so remarked. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his said I. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "On your arm?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "He slept on the premises." "And I." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Holmes, the busybody!" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which nothing of it?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the so-precious time, but come!' on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as father's young wife. read it out to me." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their you in yours." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to tackle the facts." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in which was all perfectly true. Have you good authority for what you say?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "The best possible." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary gentleman's clothes. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with power." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." about. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to affection." into the bag, and made for the door. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great for the market.' remarked. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was charge against him will break down." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, for the market.' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Yes.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, gone. London for the present?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in http://gutenberg.net/license). more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** used to be." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in over part of the map. "What do you read?" "That is possible." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have carried out of court." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon heavy and sharp instrument." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and your relations to her." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "But what harm can there be in that?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and them, and came down just as you departed. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." nothing with him." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the