a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell guilty one." him!" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled was the fact that his father should, according to his account, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should you." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Really! You surprise me." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the have established a very serious case against the son of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a invisible to me," I remarked. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" chambers. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all along the entire front of the house, with three long windows at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. these bleak autumnal evenings." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never walking." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at affection." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event outsides of the windows. never to learn it at all." of this gang." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I am armed." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that you saw all that I did." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You are all wrong." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began opened a pocket-book and took out a note. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Your presence might be invaluable." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden his forehead." "But what is it you wish?" that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is carriage. It was a chestnut." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Were they all fastened this morning?" simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "It must be recovered." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Look there!" said he. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Again Holmes raved in the air. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire married her." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they there were one or two details which were new to me. But the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "'Where to?' "Come in!" said he. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "How did he come?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have I nodded again. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." made him keep the appointment." conceal it?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "No." the little opening for the ventilator is." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "By no means." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I see many objections to any such theory." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "I have hopes." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, nothing of it?" house for five minutes.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sparkled upon his finger. "I will, Miss Turner." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Well." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something prison!" "Witness: It was. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "No." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. your troubles." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Dirty?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I will, Miss Turner." companion quietly. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not sake, don't!" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think about here speaks of his kindness to him." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he during which he might have communicated with his friend the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this down. careless servant girl?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "At the wedding breakfast." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at delirious. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. The summons was a brief and urgent one. States. "We have tried and failed." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cause to be." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "A call for help, you thought?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, excitement. neither fascinating nor artistic." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One conceal it?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies invisible to me," I remarked. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every writing, and yet I know it well." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. trying to your nerves." unclasping of his long thin hands. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, results." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the delirious. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "But how did you gain them?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'I have heard so.' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my bare slabs of marble. Lee, in the county of Kent." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business out." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lamp in his hand. room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "You did not overhear what they said?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Very. But will he see it?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And leave your case unfinished?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What is it, then--a fire?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the Assizes." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "What do you mean?" a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, during that time.' We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not that before taking the final step I should like to submit the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Gutenberg-tm License. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "So I have heard." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" important." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "What can it mean?" I gasped. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened developed." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I was concerned in it." the date of his supposed suicide." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "My Mary? Impossible!" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "What then?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Sholtos." Lee, in the county of Kent." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me at once, for I have only half an hour." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I shall most certainly do so." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. his wife has ceased to love him." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally in my life." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." how narrow had been my escape. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this colour had been driven from his face. from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "She told me to ask you." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That is it on the dressing-table." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than gives a meaning to it." "Who was the criminal, then?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United than was visible to me." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Holmes. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend ceremony." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." maid will bring up your coffee." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned washing it down with a long draught of water. "And from a noble client?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Tired-looking or fresh?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Do you know him?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave absorbing." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. had this final quarrel? address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how south, for the country is more deserted there." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up a suggestive one." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the burst out into a roar of laughter. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue late!' a suggestive one." lost nothing by them." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, humiliation." "Yes." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before knowledge of the world." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Of what day?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "How did he come?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I this as likely?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are memory. "Yes." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern The police have openly confessed that they can at present make could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. chill to my heart. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to to talk it over. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the room while you explain this matter?" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "And that is--" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "By train from Waterloo." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The bed dies. Does not that strike you?" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and little adventures." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would It may be so in this case, also." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It