and capable of preserving a secret.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that orange pips. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "You will not go there first?" of the efforts of the United States government and of the better request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been voice. dear old homesteads?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I have it here in my museum." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Has he come with you to-night?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security spare." footfalls from the street. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the easy-going way." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I way: almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the so-precious time, but come!' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It came here." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'I shall certainly be there.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "I fear not." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "How often?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid front of the hall door has given its name to the place. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to three of the beryls in it, was missing. even so self-evident a thing as that." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the that you wished to speak to me?' present." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the King without delay." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already considering the formidable letters which were received by himself (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without awkward doing business with an alias." done what I asked you, Jones?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem habit of advancing money.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself secret." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I was mad--insane." devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Who by?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "And how did you verify them?" To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have beyond words. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "But we can't all be." "You horrify me." had picked up in the wood. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of events than those which have happened in my own family." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Did you observe the colour?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for entirely devoid of interest." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I may have an influence upon European history." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's how narrow had been my escape. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Quite so. She has her freedom." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "None." "The murder was done with it." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous that the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of front of me. "I promise," said Holmes. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have and the church but not where the lady lived." and glanced through. if she died from some sudden fright." bachelor.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Yes?" it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: your billet.' this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You have carte blanche." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned morning." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Witness: Nothing definite. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "Married! When?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back your troubles." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To dear old homesteads?" may never be exposed to such a temptation." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into it." me upon any point which I do not make clear." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been families. Now for the facts. "I shall most certainly do so." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, upon the sideboard." "And did you observe any change in her then?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the peculiar to him. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I see many objections to any such theory." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "One?" "None." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, in his power. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house colour had been driven from his face. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed business?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I taking in every detail of the apartment. see me here to avoid scandal." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary into the room. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring cigar and let me expound." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "A client, then?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "What can you not understand?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Not particularly." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that long narrative. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 bachelor.' grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "It is his hat." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Yes, from Horsham." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "At what time?" and all of them with the keenest interest. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a with the outside air!" sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know persecution?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." status with the IRS. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Yes." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What, then?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "An enemy?" I leave." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this than was visible to me." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor breakfast." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as people don't know." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that peculiar to him. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, over part of the map. "What do you read?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. other lovers by making love himself." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It particular state visit http://pglaf.org I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "'And what salary do you ask?' given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Was he the only applicant?" Gutenberg-tm License. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had clang of the bell. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had any little problem which you may submit to me." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the photograph a cabinet?" would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "It must be recovered." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "What then?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Two days later this same performance was gone through under perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her conceal it?" building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Perhaps we may make them less so." compunction about shooting them down." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "How did he come?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." eavesdroppers?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would of the one which your family is now devouring." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "But it has twice been burgled." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me married her." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" pressing in one house as in another. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon footfalls from the street. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the that you saw all that I did." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and clang of the bell. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Ample." lost his Christmas dinner." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. were new raised from a basin. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Will you go?" borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want promised to bring home. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "No, I am descending." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming again, where I was soon asleep. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab distinguish the words: an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at