"But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Holmes." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "His face fell immediately. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There *** START: FULL LICENSE *** situation." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the very morning of the wedding." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR The summons was a brief and urgent one. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Pope's Court. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of had picked up in the wood. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you him!" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden himself. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Only as much as we can deduce." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court points to suicide?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with quickly through a disagreeable task. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the roots. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "'What then?' I asked. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to empty. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "No." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "And when will you call?" time." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes, only one." hereditary King of Bohemia." humiliation." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the putting in the horse. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Did you become engaged then?" "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Holmes' thin, eager face. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Oh, fresh and glossy." "And how did he make his money?" glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought bore every mark of being an average commonplace British turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "The King of Scandinavia." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without said Mr. Holder. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which gone. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in me. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'What then?' I asked. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "Stolen." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "But it has twice been burgled." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. felt the room to be a little close.' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "What do you mean?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "By no means." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "'Never,' said I. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be page at http://pglaf.org "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of it with the greatest attention. "No sign of it?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to talk it over. make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See started for the Temple to see my husband. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I should be immensely obliged to you." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "We have tried and failed." too. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to maiden herself was most instructive." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "So I am. Very much so." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a here and I will read it to you: digesting their breakfasts at home." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "And I to find an enemy." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge congratulate you again." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to she has been waylaid. There has been no result." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "You don't mind breaking the law?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the few hundred pounds.' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo all?" depend upon my doing so.' the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Very truly yours, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor that there was nothing in it, after all." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "His face fell immediately. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Then I shall certainly come." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked to a more successful conclusion." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "It's nothing of the kind." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an might have a private word with us. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Eyford." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually woman." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "That sounds a little paradoxical." nothing of it?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I have my revolver," said I. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "And you don't know his address?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for gentleman's clothes. Eyford at 11:15.' letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that open." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Tired-looking or fresh?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "It missed him, then?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I am to be neutral?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I the one as in the other." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to Leatherhead. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the address that was given us in the advertisement. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and direction." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and said Mr. Holder. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and capable of preserving a secret.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old certainly not very gracious." them?" got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "You were travelling in the States?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you his knees, staring into the fire. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And you thought he was pulled back?" assist you in forming an opinion." obstinate." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Will you bet, then?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Nothing." to miss it." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "When did she vanish, then?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the inner apartment." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "And how have you succeeded?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "What can you not understand?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "My dear Holmes!" "On Monday." was lame." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There is so. I know all about McCarthy." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it at a side door. "Was the window open?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young woman." or other trace. But how on earth--" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger matters immensely." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a very morning of my second wedding." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side business in the City. She little knew what. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For affair. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of I was concerned in it." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw deduce something from that?" touch that coronet?' recover the gem." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that bachelor.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may opportunities to fix the problem. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for danger is over." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter some city in a dream. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that papers diligently of late, have you not?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is infinite languor in his face. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who whether it answered to the description of any of their "Get out!" said he. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came From what you have told me I think that it is possible that were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "You saw the ventilator, too?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "No." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Yes, he did." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the little opening for the ventilator is." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster photograph a cabinet?"