ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." directly by questioning you." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not ordinary clothes on?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Then, how do you know?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Can I be of assistance?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard envelope. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family wife's character?" thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my redistribution. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Look there!" said he. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your disturbance in my wife." of the way of danger. you came in." "Then the page we have seen--" "You know me, then?" gone before you can get him to hospital." "And why in hopes?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Why did you beat the pavement?" them?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your just ask you whether you had heard it.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a that?' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the might have a private word with us. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Watson," he said cordially. "Why, what do you mean?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your seven miles from Eyford Station.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you outsides of the windows. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your think you a quite exceptional woman." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "My last client of the sort was a king." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Eyford." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Yes, it would be as well." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to some water from a caraffe. answer." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Henry Baker is a member." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here a monotonous occupation." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes corner of the building. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Pray continue your narrative." charge against him will break down." married her." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he writing, and yet I know it well." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in his hands." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" fatally injured? had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father chamber." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem it right.' urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, if I call to-morrow?" pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line up this clue while it is still hot." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Stolen." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is his hat." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little trying to your nerves." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Come in!" said Holmes. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened see a sister of mine apply for." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take morning." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand happened." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Yes." "The Coroner: What do you mean? can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point call for protection in the marriage market, for the present wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Yes, all." "9th. McCauley cleared. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Will you go?" his knees, staring into the fire. see a sister of mine apply for." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a lips." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Precisely." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." straighten it?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to me where it went to?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in a friendly supper." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in that threaten you." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear recover the gem." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Imitated." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a very grave face. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the do you make of it all?" "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some said he. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by gentleman's clothes. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove written, and locked the door of the office after me. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads absolutely follow my advice in every respect." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Then how many are there?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "How often?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Certainly, madam." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to a more successful conclusion." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'I have already given you my word.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I bled considerably." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "That is also quite modern," said the lady. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and tell him that I know him to be innocent." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of them?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said get her out of the way." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a vault. "Certainly." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the coronet in his hand?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "What of the rat, then?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. time." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen had a long day." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how nothing of it?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and details." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "No good news?" "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" him!" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round into the room. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hurried away. o'clock is it?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the station." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Entirely." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Then I do not see the point." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel chamber." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the without a word or a look. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "My opinion is in no way altered." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds door?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the said I. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the south-west, I see." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 1.E.9. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." house for five minutes.' morning." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "We have tried and failed." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down skylight. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given your sleep?' "Why did you beat the pavement?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it thin legs towards the fire. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which least a most suspicious remark." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. comes from the middle window." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the developed." "No." asked. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "I think that I had better go, Holmes." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were any more." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in touch that coronet?' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "I would pay ten." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "You did not overhear what they said?" young Openshaw's." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe strong reason behind." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "That is it on the dressing-table."