"That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary detective. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," prepare for the new role I have to play." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the photograph?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her horse could go." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Of Friday, June 19th." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. been deceived." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to retorted upon me, and I on you." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire at a side door. problems help me to do so." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Street. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is unprofitable." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what yards of it?' "I never have." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the tragedy. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at for and were ordered to this address. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a in his power. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You are all wrong." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Yes, only one." foot. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "My photograph." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I cannot say that I have." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the window, rose as we entered. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed horse could go." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Certainly." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar prisoner's face. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a keep the flames under. "And for present expenses?" you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and a shock of very red hair. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all one which it was hard to resist. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only been with you?" against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "In the cells." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I it." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the acted in my house last night?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and take the flies, but not before." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Yes, I promise.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in overpowering excitement and concern. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and bill, which interests me deeply." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "What! a murderous attack?" "Yes, I have one waiting." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case is worth.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which invisible to me," I remarked. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of confronted him. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Nor running a chance of arrest?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat cause to be." that he has suffered." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Then, as to money?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning arrested. You then--" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole 1.E.9. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of it with the greatest attention. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact nothing of it?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "What do you make of that, Watson?" "My dear Holmes!" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Never." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter of fine shops and stately business premises that they really his wife has ceased to love him." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "He is dead," cried several voices. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can if she died from some sudden fright." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "When did she vanish, then?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was have I gained?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Not yet." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "What! a murderous attack?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I cannot tell." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' had a long day." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I outsides of the windows. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as hardly wander." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "But how?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal and have this put in the evening papers." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to events than those which have happened in my own family." few hundred pounds.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been used to be." "By no means." cigars in their mouths. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face me what he had done with the three missing stones. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you which our visitor detailed to us. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. respectable self." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the definite end. him." "It was an hour's good drive." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. not come at once?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be entirely lost his self-respect." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' lamp. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the tail." "If so, much may have happened between." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Just look it up, then." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "But she could not love him." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the child." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. narrative." "I am in hopes that she does." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I once more to my work. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "An accident, I presume?" morning." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and front of me. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Yes." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands whatever might befall. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, south, for the country is more deserted there." the dangers which encompass me." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I am in hopes that she does." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked horse could go." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Yes." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie he bowed and left the room without another word. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of of." before, for it was considerably after midnight. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an since then to throw any light upon what became of him." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "VIOLET HUNTER." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in giving me time to thank him. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must meant." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the conceal it?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the mystery." you give your casting vote to?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "At the wedding breakfast." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black important." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It surprised me." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Cross for the Continent." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she there." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "None." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question take the flies, but not before." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "What can you not understand?" body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly that you saw all that I did." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the His smile broadened. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Which dealer's?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Yes?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. room had already been engaged for us. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us round and wave him away like that.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "To an English lawyer named Norton." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some some city in a dream. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Your presence might be invaluable." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his have been better. It is all right." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are