you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers imbecility!" he cried. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to said I. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "My dear Holmes!" "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Yes." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the this unhappy family?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found the nursery. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to see a sister of mine apply for." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the lost his Christmas dinner." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "There is the writing." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." results." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not ordinary clothes on?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Miss Holder?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from you?" him nearly every evening." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us were wasted." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone mysterious business." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by dates and names. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want system of imprisonment?" "No." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hopeless attempt at recovering them." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Where to?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would that he has suffered." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "But how did you gain them?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Dr. Becher's." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "A confidential servant?" chance at all." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "My stepfather's business papers." http://www.gutenberg.net "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "And when will you call?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid because she had spent so short a time in this country that she and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in look upon these things in a different way." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But you can know nothing of this?" acquaintance?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the imbecility!" he cried. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I have a cab outside." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, remarked. I nodded to show that I had heard. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, morning." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "Only as much as we can deduce." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Certainly." time." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. remarked. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his standing smiling on the door-step. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick she slowly sank and died without having recovered her observed. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "There is the writing." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my stepfather?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King awkward doing business with an alias." is worth.' so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, writer." manager. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a strong reason behind." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and files of the old papers, following the future career of every rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" neither fascinating nor artistic." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge means taking possession of that which another person has a prior envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Yes, but only for you and me." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fasten all the windows?" "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I have my revolver," said I. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "A greater distance to travel." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general may never be exposed to such a temptation." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there correct than the official force." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements make me his representative both with the servants and with the said I. never to learn it at all." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, few hundred pounds.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Was the window open?" business at Coburg Square is serious." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa quickly through a disagreeable task. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase leave you to your papers for a little." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Always." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior where Mr. Fordham shows you.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a galvanised. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Then what has happened to him?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I will, Miss Turner." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed look dissatisfied." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "If so, much may have happened between." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bare slabs of marble. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the foot. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the answered with a sidelong glance. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Stoke Moran?" said he. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Imitated." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his populous neighbourhood." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. burst out into a roar of laughter. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Pray let us have it, for all that." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Not I." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend this poor creature." something of him before." "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "And who is her maid?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I warn you that they are very incomplete." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Married! When?" recover the gem." Foundation unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the roused himself from his reverie. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We DAMAGE. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Have you good authority for what you say?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "That also I could fathom." the King without delay." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And what did you see?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" do." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place too. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. approach us with offers to donate. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the only touch the interest." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no meanly of me." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting train.' "Yes." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "In San Francisco, a year ago." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as was already answered. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And help." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "What will you say?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and have this put in the evening papers." gone before you can get him to hospital." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as tail." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to fait accompli?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well learned something! Where are the gems?" lips." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "What of the rat, then?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Here?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of sofa. This way, please!" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "And now?" He raised his hand. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Of what day?" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I think that I could be of assistance to you." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Thank you. Pray proceed." that you wished to speak to me?' Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Seven!" I answered. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And now?" He raised his hand. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the beg that you will break it off." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and with frightened eyes at his accuser. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What then?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the lamp in his hand. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "9th. McCauley cleared. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Where to?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Certainly." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a companion. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Is he quiet?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "By train from Waterloo." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the prison!" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush comes from the middle window." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will papers on the sundial.'" successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every possible that we could bring him back to her? and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements foresight and the moral retrogression?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making