"Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in observed. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at bonnet, and went out." "Yes, I have one waiting." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Gutenberg-tm License. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my appeal." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my my little problems." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, overpowering excitement and concern. "Married! When?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and your relations to her." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it strong and stiff." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage help us in this matter." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him chance." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "My last client of the sort was a king." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should my friend's incisive reasoning. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "And it is--" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you suggested at once that there must be a communication between the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hand, madam?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, standing smiling on the door-step. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little introspective fashion. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously and the colonel ushered me in. again before evening." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "So I heard. You have him here?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of think, you have already met." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the your most interesting statement." could go. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by disappearance of these gems?" row." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "A thing like a cleaver," said he. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see during the last few years, and there are many noble families to fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, experiences." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of train.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You saw the ventilator, too?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am walking." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "What have you done?" asked Holmes. arrested. You then--" call it cruel." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room all?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and not, dad?" she asked. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural conceal it?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "But his lameness?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the giving me time to thank him. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and upon the white wrist. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "A client, then?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Yes." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. prison!" "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Have you it here?" Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were foot. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' you for a few hours?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must chambers. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Stolen, then." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the dangers which encompass me." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised burst into a hearty fit of laughter. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 note?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" this Miss Turner." "A client, then?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "How can you tell that?" congratulate you again." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'Where to?' "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was in one or two places in England?' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We galvanised. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His chambers. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the fear." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "There is the writing." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "No." ordinary clothes on?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "It is possible." is a common subject for conversation. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Where, then, is my wife?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Henry Baker is a member." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little chance at all." nothing of it?" three of the beryls in it, was missing. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them felt?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and States. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. derbies." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of strong reason behind." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." heavy and sharp instrument." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need weary and pale-looking. a room. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan that he will be back before evening." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Thank you. And your address?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' generous with you in money matters.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. hour?' shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has constraint." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Here?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly again on its way. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" as this. Pray let me have the details." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. annoyance, but no jest. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the the date of his supposed suicide." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I will, Miss Turner." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Yes, the wine-cellar." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we enter into my head. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I noting anything else of interest. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in vault. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are London for the present?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless husband's writing, madam." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" mystery." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "On your arm?" "It is solved." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and is," said he presently: him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a again, where I was soon asleep. "Yes, from Horsham." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and some water from a caraffe. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, felt?" "Will you go?" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was in darkness. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Yes, sir.' "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be washing it down with a long draught of water. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "'Yes, I promise.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "This photograph!" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well, some hundreds of times." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. use an arc-and-compass breastpin." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I guessed as much." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such late." as this. Pray let me have the details." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "What will you do, then?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of individual and becomes the badge of a society." photograph?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It them present such singular features as the strange train of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "You horrify me." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his IS It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "How did you trace it, then?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have with you?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?"