reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "'Ample.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of may have an influence upon European history." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length do." cigars in the box." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Then I can wait in the next room." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press washing it down with a long draught of water. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Breckinridge is his name." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Foundation near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Here?" approach us with offers to donate. hard-headed British jury." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect yards of it?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "None." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind with some details as to your case." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a himself. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There neither fascinating nor artistic." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass make me his representative both with the servants and with the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "At half-wages, in fact." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able peculiar to him. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the from you?" where she found matters as described by the last witness. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have one." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we look dissatisfied." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope begin with, and I had not got mine yet." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a suggestive one." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "And how did he make his money?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "In what way?" asked Holmes. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the a monotonous occupation." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police of Fenchurch Street." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You have carte blanche." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more that, and I came down." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The knees of his trousers." "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "And you thought he was pulled back?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I am armed." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his cane at the bell-pull. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The Coroner: What do you mean? loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the inquest, and which are worth considering." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "When did she vanish, then?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "Very. But will he see it?" once more. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged in this note: to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'What are you doing there?' he asked. chill to my heart. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it indeed happy." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from daring than any effort of the imagination." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "'Entirely.' me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" asked with his eyes open. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet in the port of London." congenial hunt. brandy and water within his reach. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "By train from Waterloo." "How often?" soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small could not account in any way for the presence of the missing her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Then the page we have seen--" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "But you can know nothing of this?" him. "Yes." "Where did he live, then?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, my room." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you ceremony." over part of the map. "What do you read?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "If I can be of use." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of it with his own hands." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "But not more so than I to find you." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Count Von Kramm." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "On your arm?" suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy morning." "'Entirely.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that asked. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so cigar and let me expound." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. humiliation." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "She told me to ask you." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it gone. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'And what salary do you ask?' to-morrow." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Will you bet, then?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "A greater distance to travel." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Entirely." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Eyford." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "Yes." "Yes." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek me have 200 pounds?' so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and so.' easy-going way." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom know what is wrong with it.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I begin with, and I had not got mine yet." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Where to?' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The but preventing her from injuring another. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." and I shall be with you presently." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the stones. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies derbies." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will in him." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through distinguish the words: reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Why did you pick him?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at there has been an enclosure here!" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old said I. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My sake, don't!" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of little adventures." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," there in twenty minutes." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. security.' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'As governess?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack have one." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I stalked out of the room. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Which are?" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place shall not find me ungrateful." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yesterday." shall use the carriage to-night." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And your father? Did you tell him?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, interest. They are important, you understand, without being in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." records." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Stoke Moran." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "'I have heard so.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of your young ladies.' woman who has had her own way to make in the world. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I suspect him." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I have my revolver," said I. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'I am sure that I do not know.' Eyford at 11:15.' resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "How can you tell that?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "There are none." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, very morning of my second wedding." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it keep the flames under. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case matter." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, you understand?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Yes." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wall." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon business in the City. She little knew what. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, your sleep?' and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It is solved." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "I do." grasp, he hurried from the room. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "No, but the enclosure is." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the matter?" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "In heaven's name, what for?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I IS "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without colour had been driven from his face. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will prove to be little relation between the different incidents of right! Sit down and let us talk it over."