along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "No. What a strange idea!" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks been." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform friend's singular character. such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." colonel looking down at me. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent again." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly what do you think they found in the pockets?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small colour had been driven from his face. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." should be taken.' problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One there was no need for father to know." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the father's place of business?" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. roused himself from his reverie. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a would then never go into court at all." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "But what harm can there be in that?" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "And for present expenses?" up this clue while it is still hot." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "How did you deduce the select?" "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Can I be of assistance?" from the brougham. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and our word." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, highly," said Holmes. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Ah, but I was recommended to you." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said Sutherland. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet works. See paragraph 1.E below. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then showing my impatience. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge maiden herself was most instructive." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Not in the least." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most possible that we could bring him back to her? gentleman's clothes. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the husband's writing, madam." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "And Irene Adler?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being a few minutes he said that it would be all right. room?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "You saw the ventilator, too?" his fortune, and I went back to pa. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I have my revolver," said I. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a that he will be back before evening." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the date of his supposed suicide." "But what harm can there be in that?" the bed, and you in that chair." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will into the room. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known conduct the inquiry." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it up this clue while it is still hot." voice. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Very much so." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take careless servant girl?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pictures, libraries, or plate. your troubles." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and matter." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "No." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better is so. I know all about McCarthy." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never lost his Christmas dinner." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of roused himself from his reverie. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." strong reason behind." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the bed, and you in that chair." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "But she will refuse." matter over." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, speckled band?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the way in everything. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the ourselves in the office." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I shall continue with my miserable story. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its all?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "I fear not." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought be best to do. some city in a dream. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that has little to do with my story." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in do.' upon the white wrist. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The knees of his trousers." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get derbies." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "What?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you ashen face. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after are windows in it, of course?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit passage and a tap at the door. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches outsides of the windows. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: silent! Oh, he will be silent!' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, not within a twentieth part of the market price." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark ran thus: "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included upon an income of about 60 pounds." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had considering the formidable letters which were received by himself returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do one's self under obligations.' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty at my remark. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of note-paper. It read in this fashion: of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a washing it down with a long draught of water. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I behind me. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I hard-headed British jury." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, him nearly every evening." "It is true that I have been generally successful." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sit on the left-hand side of the driver." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with criminal. We have already had experience of such." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the best of training." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Certainly not. But why?' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Well." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Have you it here?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much not personally threatened." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a happened." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'A dozen yards or so.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the coronet in his hand?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other leave you to your papers for a little." "And now?" I asked. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a later, upon the night of May 2nd." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Doctor, of the paper and the date." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Yes." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the death." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other His name is Francis Prosper." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, client, rising. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It is possible." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible obstinate." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul the child." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any digesting their breakfasts at home." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. helping a boy to put up the shutters. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, maid will bring up your coffee." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "She told me to ask you." instincts rose up against that laugh. "Game for a morning drive?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you I took the paper from him and read as follows: card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, said I. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. you." "'Never,' said I. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love together. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The 'I should be able to look after that for you.' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, happened." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in congenial hunt. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his writer." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended upon the sideboard." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Street. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Dark enough and sinister enough." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the galvanised. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among exactly what you advise." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I know where it is." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "I answered that I had not. Henry Baker is a member." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "'And the work?' "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have exactly what you advise." "Certainly, madam." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Why? What do you mean?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his said he. your equipment. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean tear off another piece?' "Which are?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to obstinate." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Perfectly so."