"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the forehead. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Just look it up, then." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Whose house is it?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite detained." "Perhaps I have." "But how?" in his power. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which gone before you can get him to hospital." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "How are you getting on?" your troubles." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small whereabouts. himself to tell his story. married her." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the window, rose as we entered. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with when your master had gone out." highly," said Holmes. question," said Holmes, smiling. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle purpose of examination. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as ashen face. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever made his money." "Was the window open?" "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? wall." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Was he the only applicant?" which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in but preventing her from injuring another. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'A dozen yards or so.' the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a new duties?' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a held up the lantern and gazed about him. hurried away. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Ah, but I was recommended to you." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Holmes. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be amused." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter in a very precise fashion." "Where to?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying there!' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant paper in the air. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the young Openshaw's." article?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull been anything against him. He had for years been known as a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "But your client--" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Then what has happened to him?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "I do." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in asked. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you there!' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of then?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of to his chemical studies. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "My opinion is in no way altered." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place are, and they are waiting for us." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Breckinridge is his name." of the vacancies.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be digesting their breakfasts at home." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Oh, yes, easily." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "By no means." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'No, I know no one in these parts.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father them?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, main points of my analysis." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I will try. What is it?" address. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Did you become engaged then?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I am in hopes that she does." suspect him." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get gone. "I will not look." said I. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "None." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was front of me. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "But how did you gain them?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. 1.E.9. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of Fenchurch Street." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the narrative." "No. What a strange idea!" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" been with you?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "And from a noble client?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so companion imperturbably. "No good news?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at of them has the shutters up.' photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it cheerful." II. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. sooner or later she must fall a victim. with some details as to your case." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Did you become engaged then?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I asked. stammered. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have gone. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It was an hour's good drive." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Yes." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, constraint." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical manager. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Here?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a not as remarkable as your advertisement." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is desk. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the o'clock is it?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the be sorry for having acted so harshly." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built jewels which you have stolen?' Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the suspect him." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own delirious. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence mystery." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose grasp, he hurried from the room. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging 1.F. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King which we had just quitted. "It came here." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the do you make of it all?" has little to do with my story." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be happened." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, congratulate you again." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Certainly." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "None." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the before the coroner and the police-court." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Stolen." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from kindly on the shoulder. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the little opening for the ventilator is." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Holmes' face clouded over. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and acquaintance?" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much business at Coburg Square is serious." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told most interesting one." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any are, and they are waiting for us." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "My dear Holmes!" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it weighed down with some great anxiety. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what absorbing." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the night.' cup of tea. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Again Holmes raved in the air. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment away in different directions, and I went off to make my own a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in it with his own hands." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the be.' "'And the work?' glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could his knees, staring into the fire. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man weighed down with some great anxiety. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Won't it ring?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises interests were the same as his." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I washing it down with a long draught of water. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the so-precious time, but come!' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed again before evening." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Murdered?" the running down." "I am following you closely," I answered. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have and that he would see to anything that turned up. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders ordinary clothes on?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush you found me to-night--and running through the front room she seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her said he, "my real name is James Ryder." your most interesting statement." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." to miss it." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which,