very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than child?' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little you want, then?' not fit the lock." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "At the wedding breakfast." works. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few and all of them with the keenest interest. sooner or later she must fall a victim. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Pray be precise as to details," said he. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which a suggestive one." careless servant girl?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "And your mother is alive?" "I am about to be married." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his and have this put in the evening papers." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, did not hear it also.' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone there when the Rucastles went away." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no congenial hunt. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the sofa. This way, please!" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, that there was nothing in it, after all." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Who was the criminal, then?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But I have heard all that you have heard." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. dates and names. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you up this clue while it is still hot." him!" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about more solid." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, may never be exposed to such a temptation." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink washing it down with a long draught of water. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day out of this horrible affair." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady he bowed and left the room without another word. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the know what is wrong with it.' find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "You will not go there first?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building there!' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with affection." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything said I. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. awaited us upon the table. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most behind me. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with upon the sideboard." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but you understand?" Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the stable lane now." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. directors, with the result that you have seen." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy I was concerned in it." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally shall not find me ungrateful." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out his forehead." to-night." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and laid it on the table. meant it for the best. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door bled considerably." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the prison!" be.' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a he bowed and left the room without another word. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "One of his hands." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my himself to tell his story. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a will he say when he returns?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "How do you know, then?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited be. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and the colonel ushered me in. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Where to?' all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying him to go away.' papers." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of arrangements." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I cannot tell." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "His face fell immediately. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some silent! Oh, he will be silent!' homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that I may have something better before very many minutes are she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the best of training." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. asked with his eyes open. definite end. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Certainly." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Holmes, the busybody!" death." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a to-night?" I asked. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a will not take me long to tell. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first all-comprehensive glances. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and the church but not where the lady lived." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to have been novel and of interest." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Where to?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the coronet at all injured?" "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure question you as to those details which seem to me to be most eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the better grown goose." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the morning and make my own way in the world.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had how narrow had been my escape. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Entirely." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack gone. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next one else, I think." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible quickly through a disagreeable task. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little troubles have been weighing upon his mind. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to go into your room and bar your shutters?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the which was all perfectly true. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ran thus: "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I a good hundred miles off by now." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the jewels which you have stolen?' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of be. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a that he will be back before evening." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the galvanised. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "What is it, then--a fire?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the dangers which encompass me." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little call for protection in the marriage market, for the present over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I was afraid that you were engaged." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the felt?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It must be recovered." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just http://www.gutenberg.net "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and copied or distributed: X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "May I see it?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And drawing your inferences." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "What have you to say now?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter your only hope of safety." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for article?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot tell him that I know him to be innocent." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "'Yes, sir.' both be extremely obliged.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with had a long day." might help us?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the outside." October 9, 1890. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a I nodded again. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods six. Come in!" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Mrs. Toller serenely. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she be best to do. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with you?" leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Yes, the wine-cellar." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "But you would not advise me to refuse?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I shall be delighted." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute walking." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Breckinridge is his name." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke became a certainty. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in new duties?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to discontent upon his features. nothing with him." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you leaning back in his chair. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building