science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "That was it, sir." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "What! You do not mean bodies?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' if I call to-morrow?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to business at Coburg Square is serious." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on thin legs towards the fire. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "None." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. details." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same which should have the effect of calling the attention of the said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in my life." "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the white wrist. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of excitement. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for in darkness. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as hereditary King of Bohemia." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, presented which may be striking and bizarre without being admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. beyond words. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Certainly." "Who by?" main points of my analysis." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past only touch the interest." visitors." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside is a common subject for conversation. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable that he has suffered." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the King without delay." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. closing the door. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in over here." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, there has been an enclosure here!" paper in the air. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" throat." name is different." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. garden below. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I saw her in conversation with her maid." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently which our visitor detailed to us. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no noble correspondent could be. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I cannot as yet see any connection." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'I have heard so.' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was might help us?" "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the disappearance of these gems?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lips." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "You horrify me!" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are was a perfect sample of the class. "And help." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, exactly what you advise." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Not in the least." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner electronic works Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside always that they were such commands as a lady might with see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I affair. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it crime. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you touch that coronet?' "None. Neville wrote those words." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through place no limit on the sum I may draw." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and your relations to her." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George future lives." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "It is true that I have been generally successful." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'I am sure that I do not know.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Imitated." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "They are typewritten," I remarked. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Whose house is it?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "But the mystery?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his 'please.'" "If I can be of use." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "What then?" wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. hand, madam?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Have you her photograph?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Precisely." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are it." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a brain must have something in it." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One disturbance in my wife." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all her also." "How did he come?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of most important business. It is probable that he will be away all lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And it is--" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was woman." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" outsides of the windows. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Certainly, madam." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes, sir." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Yes." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring disappearance of these gems?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and the whole place is in a blaze." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow chamber." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural outsides of the windows. security.' undoubtedly my uncle's." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "It is very kind of you." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Absolutely none." intrusion of other matters." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking criminal. We have already had experience of such." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case his fortune, and I went back to pa. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was husband's writing, madam." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most will not take me long to tell. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the promised to bring home. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "How about poison?" a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I think that it is very probable." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he best detective that ever lived. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Well, but China?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding stepfather?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a cause to be." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had assist you in forming an opinion." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "What will you say?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of there when the Rucastles went away." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "On the contrary, this is the right side." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I think it very unlikely." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon them, and came down just as you departed. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to miss it." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, over part of the map. "What do you read?" "And how have you succeeded?" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no have had none more fantastic than this." easy-going way." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "And what did you learn from him?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "How many? I don't know." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the digesting their breakfasts at home." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of receipt of the work. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I away into the river." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the The summons was a brief and urgent one. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "That's no good." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I will get her to show me." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a mystery." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing bed dies. Does not that strike you?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The murder was done with it." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of cigars in their mouths. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say that I am arrested."