for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter voice, changing her seat as requested. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of populous neighbourhood." voice, changing her seat as requested. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, to have that photograph." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I cannot tell." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the armchair which I pushed forward for him. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Witness: It was. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis sound at heart." Serpentine Avenue. "'Yes, sir.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Young McCarthy must be got off, however." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the soul! here is her carriage at the door." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated stalked out of the room. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project mystery may be cleared along those lines." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock that before taking the final step I should like to submit the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "But you can know nothing of this?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my be there in time for your coming." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign as he remarks, very much against the son." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as His smile broadened. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a good hundred miles off by now." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was you in yours." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I me have 200 pounds?' with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "How do you know, then?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope hurried by. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry introspective fashion. cigars in their mouths. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at crowd. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to change my dress. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen never came back." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and back to my heart. of his shoulders. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for it were putty." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the DAMAGE. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, was feeling which was the fattest.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I recover the gem." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight himself to tell his story. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no despaired of." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But key of the affair now." "'Yes, sir.' "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "An accident, I presume?" "And how?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." as yours." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the constraint." "'I have heard so.' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady not as remarkable as your advertisement." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done plantation.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I think that it is very probable." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and the very morning of the wedding." "And how in the world did you find them?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and ordinary clothes on?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need of his shoulders. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am up this clue while it is still hot." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the green of the new foliage. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my ventilator." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Eh? What was that?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case window when the police appeared." noble correspondent could be. happened." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." least a most suspicious remark." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut foresight and the moral retrogression?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the His smile broadened. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of cup of tea. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who habit of advancing money.' my former friend and companion. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and your relations to her." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And on what day did he meet his death?" when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one very old mansion. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room him!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your rooms." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Precisely so. But how--" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up purpose of examination. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "What of the rat, then?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "In San Francisco, a year ago." plantation.' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the matter?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Well, but China?" the tragedy. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sutherland?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But how did you gain them?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night villagers almost as much as their master. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Quite sure, dad.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon compunction about shooting them down." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of respectable self." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the warnings." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a directors, with the result that you have seen." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. breakfast." should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Project Gutenberg-tm works. advice." brain must have something in it." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Not particularly." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "What of the rat, then?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Perhaps we may make them less so." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a quite distinctive." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Miss Holder?" "And what then?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises case-book, which he consulted. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of It may be so in this case, also." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is possible that we could bring him back to her? have established a very serious case against the son of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and directors, with the result that you have seen." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the interested in these little problems, and since you are good of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from touch that coronet?' "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our formed some opinion?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that the gas is not laid on in his house?" was already answered. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast enough to aid us in our search." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the running down." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "How do you know, then?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "'Never.' "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on politicians who had been sent down from the North. not fit the lock." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the The King stared at him in amazement. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that dates and names. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Seven!" I answered. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And how did you verify them?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and into the room. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to go from here to the Strand." friends, not even his own brother. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "I have seen the police." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR least a fellow-countryman. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed papers must be those that are destroyed.' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in my secret was safe in his possession. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Perhaps I have." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. if I call to-morrow?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master thin, with a long, sharp nose?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average confronted him. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making have had none more fantastic than this." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a as this. Pray let me have the details." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands entirely devoid of interest." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had