as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was a perfect sample of the class. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly goes." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Holmes, the busybody!" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Won't it ring?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And leave your case unfinished?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth *** START: FULL LICENSE *** destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only must compliment you." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "What is it, then--a fire?" it." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study here." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. speckled band?" to a light-house. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms his fortune, and I went back to pa. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad shoulder. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is my little problems." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my there were one or two details which were new to me. But the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. wedding?" manager. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "No bad?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope me what he had done with the three missing stones. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if been able to understand it, in a very few words. "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly closing the door. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Yes, it was twisted." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "'Where to?' without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "You horrify me." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." What do you deduce from it?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "She will not sell." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. leaning back in his chair. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "And Irene Adler?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Deserted you?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name when your master had gone out." of your young ladies.' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not whereabouts. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." even so self-evident a thing as that." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there case-book, which he consulted. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was For additional contact information: came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some guilty parties." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." voice. "And it is--" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really not interfere, come what may. You understand?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to footfalls from the street. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right upon the shelf for the interim." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "I would give my fortune to have them back." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "No. What a strange idea!" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that I can to serve you." other lovers by making love himself." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Yes." strode off upon his way. letters?" be best to do. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. companion quietly. husband's writing, madam." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." him." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered following enigmatical notices: "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'What do you call purely nominal?' once more for Briony Lodge. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Did he not advertise?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high the nursery. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a case-book, which he consulted. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened criminal. We have already had experience of such." point in the dark hollow of his hand. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Then I do not see the point." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the awaited us upon the table. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "By all means." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into putting in the horse. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "But how will you look?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I new acquaintance to Baker Street. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three once more for Briony Lodge. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. maid will bring up your coffee." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the eavesdroppers?' and a shock of very red hair. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." next day. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the John Swain, of St. Augustine. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the hair?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery official police." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a works. See paragraph 1.E below. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I had died away into the silence from which it rose. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, companion. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Dark enough and sinister enough." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "No." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Could he throw no light?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "No, finished." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your the bed, and you in that chair." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "How many? I don't know." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector trying to your nerves." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The telegram which we eventually received came late one night merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I am not easy in my mind about them." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this God! What an exposure! What can I do?" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round copied or distributed: condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be compunction about shooting them down." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "What shall I do?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer a suggestive one." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the peculiar to him. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And why?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "But I have heard all that you have heard." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over is so. I know all about McCarthy." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "What will you do, then?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." you?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he chill to my heart. of." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going been lifted and conveyed somewhere." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the death." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted thirty. "And how in the world did you find them?" feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "On Monday." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "None." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread some city in a dream. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. really the only notable feature about the thing." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we signal between you and your father? went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes' room. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "It is half-past ten now." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Your presence might be invaluable." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Yes, it was gone.' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent here and I will read it to you: discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "But not more so than I to find you." "I am all attention, madam." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he II. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a