remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they seem to you to be relevant or not." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, strength." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. intrusion of other matters." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it present." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias observed. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which developed." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. http://gutenberg.net/license). "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "But you were on a friendly footing?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "A call for help, you thought?" a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came bearing upon the case." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "No bad?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his just called myself is not exactly my own." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There very morning of my second wedding." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what upon the sideboard." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business call the police, let the police find what they can.' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "And how have you succeeded?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "I am sure." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. instituted." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Get out!" said he. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a wanted for ourselves." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's returning from some small jollification and was making his way right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "But what will you do?" "I cannot tell." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of derbies." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked forbidden door. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather or other trace. But how on earth--" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that is worth.' redistribution. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at discontent upon his features. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill business matters.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is your Highness to the police-station?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Then he might have called to you?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was his huge brown hands. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, where we are going." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." leaning back in his chair. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder fire. You quite follow me?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might in your London, you will know that the office of the company is The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have or in danger--" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the hands. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of sooner or later she must fall a victim. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. mysterious end." "Where is it, then?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home them?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the sparkled upon his finger. Holmes." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we leave you to your papers for a little." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not drawing your inferences." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Nothing." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous soul! here is her carriage at the door." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel bed dies. Does not that strike you?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "But you can know nothing of this?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are 11:15.' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, was not a bird to be seen there. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her at my remark. "Was your sister dressed?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. back into the street. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "How many? I don't know." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man as he folded up the epistle. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower in a very precise fashion." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should all-comprehensive glances. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I do." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I shall most certainly do so." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "How can you tell that?" "We were both in the photograph." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very to-night?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for situation." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Dark enough and sinister enough." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a chance." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, sir." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. key of the affair now." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, families. Now for the facts. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five long narrative. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything astonishment. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the advice." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." wife's character?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "I am about to be married." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather was shining brightly. the house with me." yards of it?' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Serpentine Avenue. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined some city in a dream. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in imbecility!" he cried. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden suggested at once that there must be a communication between the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "The Coroner: What do you mean? official police." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he October 9, 1890. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "You have compromised yourself seriously." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "And leave your case unfinished?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who to miss it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Texas, I think." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what tapping his fingers upon the table. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "And how have you succeeded?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I then?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Surrey." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You you give your casting vote to?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "May I see it?" "In which, sir?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "It is very clear." again on its way. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You are all wrong." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, appeal." "And who is her maid?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," this poor creature." "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the bed, and you in that chair." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' written. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit noble correspondent could be. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One II. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the murdered man." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he extraordinary contortions. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his envelope. "That is not always so easy."