"It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the matter." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the drove away. "'Yes, it was gone.' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to have been novel and of interest." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was him!" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which death." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered other, as fresh and trim as possible. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat the date of his supposed suicide." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "And what did you see?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "You have it, sir, just as it happened." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'Oh, no.' village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You saw the ventilator, too?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Ten to two.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would enter into my head. himself in a perplexing position. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send one of the states of the Union." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" tear off another piece?' I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he in. morning." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged at home. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four washing it down with a long draught of water. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." could gather together that I was able to avert another public had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no voice, changing her seat as requested. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive matter over." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. already been minutely examined." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of foresight and the moral retrogression?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I shall continue with my miserable story. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? know that the truth is known." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the Red-headed League." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "That is easily got." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "And Miss Sutherland?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I peculiar to him. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters Does that suggest anything?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but matter over." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "In San Francisco, a year ago." "No." words came to my lips. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Miss Holder?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "'Yes, I promise.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the ways of our fellow-men." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. derbies." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "When did it break out?" "It came here." "I assure you that I am in your hands." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away salesman. Holmes rather sternly. fat-encircled eyes. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." happened." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner read it out to me." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to the date of his supposed suicide." "A call for help, you thought?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than mystery may be cleared along those lines." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. hardly wander." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction said he at last. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one official police." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Frequently." "A client, then?" "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the humiliation." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by fled together." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, sake, don't!" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And now?" He raised his hand. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily and it need not interfere very much with one's other "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, pierced for earrings?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be acted in my house last night?" real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as knowledge of the world." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which to a light-house. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of campaign. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fuss that is made over them." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the instincts rose up against that laugh. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, conduct the inquiry." "And it is--" were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, from you?" This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Where could I find him?' "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Arthur Conan Doyle to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing skylight. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with that threaten you." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there man. I know him from the photograph." case-book, which he consulted. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will call you and give you the chance." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon him nearly every evening." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent retorted upon me, and I on you." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on prisoner's face. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." His name is Francis Prosper." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your crowd. "And I to find an enemy." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him there." "My stepfather's business papers." "But his lameness?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "One of his hands." of your young ladies.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "So it appears." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, that I am arrested." all?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful you?" which it had come upon my father." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "How are you getting on?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm system of imprisonment?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry American. Then who could this American be, and why should he springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing the matter." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which again on its way. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "But he might be a bachelor." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "But how?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can thirty. developed." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock brandy and water within his reach. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the appeal." which it had come upon my father." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right name is different." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "A thing like a cleaver," said he. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to arrive at through this?" "Very murderous indeed." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man experiences." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Holmes' face clouded over. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "'Never,' said I. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "What can you not understand?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the read it out to me." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. reach." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is only touch the interest." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "How many? I don't know." until night should bring an explanation. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of have got?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, is so. I know all about McCarthy." tell me that you intended to go into harness." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "What will you say?" gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "One?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is British peeress.'" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses chill to my heart. "Do you go out much in society?" have accepted such a situation. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by sit on the left-hand side of the driver." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the night.' are, I think, all that we need." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my about. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "It surprised me." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the