"Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, gives a meaning to it." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not one of the states of the Union." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left without a word or a look. "You are all wrong." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat skylight. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and I shall be with you presently." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no ill-usage at the hands of fortune. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her best detective that ever lived. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he away in different directions, and I went off to make my own when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "At half-wages, in fact." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I disappearance of these gems?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Yes." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'Ten to two.' business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "What do you mean?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a there is a decided draught." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You think so, too?" heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we me." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'Entirely.' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his to me. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the arrangements." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With do.' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "But of what society?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." him!" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "By train from Waterloo." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "A client, then?" was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the Assizes." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Then, as to money?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Never to return." "Not social, then?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind to some other building. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to o'clock is it?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, His name is Francis Prosper." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "What can it mean?" I gasped. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, October 9, 1890. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. that I may have something better before very many minutes are post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' least a most suspicious remark." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Quite so." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Very murderous indeed." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of so.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "One of the highest in England." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Then he might have called to you?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and the colonel ushered me in. "You think so, too?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I beg pardon." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three geese which you supplied to the Alpha." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "And you can do nothing until then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he placed his cuttings. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. down. "You will not go there first?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be have got?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the copied or distributed: Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned words came to my lips. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be south, for the country is more deserted there." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his dead, shall be safe with us." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes." breakfast." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "9th. McCauley cleared. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with 11:15.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "To ruin me." it." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Nothing." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "What then?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Surrey." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Witness: I must still refuse. green of the new foliage. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are one of the states of the Union." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove a suggestive one." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "10th. John Swain cleared. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "What have you to say now?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I you?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "That is possible." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. hands. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR friends, not even his own brother. here." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you meant it for the best. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his triumphant cloud from his cigarette. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the be.' a very grave face. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the himself to tell his story. occupations.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dead, shall be safe with us." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'Entirely.' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of shall use the carriage to-night." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "You horrify me!" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case depend upon my doing so.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A their singular warning or token before them when starting upon wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "What do you mean?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "I was sure that I might rely on you." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work floor. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that remarked. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the colonel ushered me in. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that the gas is not laid on in his house?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges depend upon my doing so.' "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be fluttered off among the others. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. as the one I chose?' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking his huge brown hands. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good during the last few years, and there are many noble families to light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, only one." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for was a loud and authoritative tap. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of husband's writing, madam." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the window, rose as we entered. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had at a side door. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention father's young wife. to tell." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled strode off upon his way. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet lids now and glanced across at his visitor. his grey eyes. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you appeal." later, upon the night of May 2nd." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Miss Holder?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Well, but China?" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What!" he roared. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of look dissatisfied." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return my little problems." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a to-night?" I asked. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this you want, then?' during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more you want, then?' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and the church but not where the lady lived." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." highly," said Holmes. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there newspaper selections." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small some terrible trap for her." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." with her." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Yes, I have one waiting." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves James Windibank. Voilà tout!" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has that he will be back before evening." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair feature." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he is so. I know all about McCarthy." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "'Never.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I am about to be married." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the coronet at all injured?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an politicians who had been sent down from the North. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, figure." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was