At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and looked back. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the date of his supposed suicide." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "I promise," said Holmes. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes him!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "To ruin me." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called way in." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very maiden herself was most instructive." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." business at Coburg Square is serious." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found least a fellow-countryman. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should most interesting one." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us copied or distributed: "Yes, it would be as well." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled have got?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." "How about poison?" "Certainly." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You will not go there first?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the all-comprehensive glances. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Do you go out much in society?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as relation between them, and what the object of his repeated coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "'I have already given you my word.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. individual and becomes the badge of a society." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Certainly,' I answered. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have established a very serious case against the son of the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking words came to my lips. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even help us in this matter." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch away to you." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone shoulder; "he's all right." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet golden eyeglasses. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the chill to my heart. bled considerably." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a went to the Alpha were town bred." closely." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt maiden herself was most instructive." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he head. So long, then!" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we again on its way. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose must be when I saw the door open.' "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home which it had come upon my father." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor or other trace. But how on earth--" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, what I may call a really hard day's work." outsides of the windows. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in his knees, staring into the fire. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Pool. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "If so, much may have happened between." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Which dealer's?' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Never to return." occupations.' know all about it," he snarled. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "A call for help, you thought?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "My photograph." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "That also I could fathom." my former friend and companion. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of do." society." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in the port of London." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Yes." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her him. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the warnings." there was no need for father to know." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in prisoner's face. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "What I expected to see." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is what these perils are?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It looks newer than the other things?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Precisely." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, happened." "'Why that?' I asks. "Very murderous indeed." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. he. as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out than to us. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the served to weaken the effect. shall use the carriage to-night." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can row." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "And you can do nothing until then?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "We must have a cab." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Was she in good spirits?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'A dozen yards or so.' "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Precisely." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and think you a quite exceptional woman." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime maid will bring up your coffee." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Quite so. She has her freedom." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to-night's adventure." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have is four-and-twenty." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate narrative." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "And I say east," said my patient. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to garden below. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "No, distinctly professional." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." call the police, let the police find what they can.' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major lamp. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in train.' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "In answer to an advertisement." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his felt the room to be a little close.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Well, but China?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to stepfather?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "So I heard. You have him here?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Why did you pick him?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It looks newer than the other things?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in once more. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "There are none." better in every way that they should make their position a little And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is public press." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "Where to?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I details." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You will not go there first?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "My stepfather's business papers." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Certainly not.' over with notes and figures. national property. I was determined that the law should have its I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, past. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic prison!" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and congratulate you again." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the would then never go into court at all." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, me. You must get home instantly and act." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "They are typewritten," I remarked. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a despair." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the salesman. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "I was afraid that you were engaged." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mystery!" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. head. So long, then!" than was visible to me." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "I guessed as much." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "Were they all fastened this morning?" the iron safe, which he closed upon it. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" woman." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her himself to hunt down. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into galvanised. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must carpenter." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as noble correspondent could be. my secret was safe in his possession. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his through." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving peculiar to him. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my a very grave face. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And from a noble client?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "It was." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his huge brown hands. if I call to-morrow?" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow