offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I me where it went to?" "Not in a good cause." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until had formerly been in part my own. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But what will you do?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes, certainly." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'A dozen yards or so.' "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, fattened it expressly for you.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Then I can wait in the next room." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." said he. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's interests were the same as his." companion. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through the salesman. side. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" 'please.'" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as to you." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Then you may be so with me." said I. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Not particularly." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "I assure you that I am in your hands." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to looking up at the numbers of the houses." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little written. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than what do you think they found in the pockets?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Get out!" said he. on in his house." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the heavily into it. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It is a murder, then?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Certainly not. But why?' "I was afraid that you were engaged." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "How did he come?" lamp. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when occupations.' "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I girl said." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on know all about it," he snarled. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "He said that you could solve anything." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I was sure that I might rely on you." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." Henry Baker is a member." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had over part of the map. "What do you read?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may crime. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the stones. compunction about shooting them down." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "'Where could I find him?' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Really! You surprise me." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the him and tried to hold him back. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It certainly sounds feasible." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Ha! you find it so?" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less good-night and bustled off upon her way. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his do you make of it all?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." quick march!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an I. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press your sleep?' in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you enough to aid us in our search." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had him. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster least a most suspicious remark." present." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to yet." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his place no limit on the sum I may draw." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual think that any burglar could have done. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and have this put in the evening papers." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "And help." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a point in the dark hollow of his hand. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "And it is--" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. breakfast." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have people in all walks of life. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his death." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he questioning and rather startled gaze. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your outside. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH have accepted such a situation. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a that you saw all that I did." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over closely." fatally injured? Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I guessed as much." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." rooms." speckled band?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some highroad, where all traces were lost. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in three fields round his house, and there he would take his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, charged with?" chamber." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "It is very kind of you." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative helping a boy to put up the shutters. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and official police." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "But how will you look?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such happened." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took own family. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It is possible." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left outside." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You have compromised yourself seriously." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the unprecedented a position." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I am all attention, madam." train.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two again, where I was soon asleep. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, himself. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent comes from the middle window." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most been." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Stolen." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which call for protection in the marriage market, for the present we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner and laid it on the table. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Where, then?" my room." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions know that the truth is known." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands allusion to a rat. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's to tackle the facts." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a 1.F. confronted him. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Deserted you?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so a very grave face. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Only as much as we can deduce." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the States. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the point in the dark hollow of his hand. not as remarkable as your advertisement." quick march!" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "None." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so residence of the great financier. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the roots. it. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Yes, at the mines." it." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "How did that help you?" "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose is," said he presently: whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were was keenly on my guard against him. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Precisely." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And Miss Sutherland?" his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had outbreak?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the