he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary if I call to-morrow?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the keep the flames under. "Very truly yours, consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the bird I ate is country bred." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "Thank you. And your address?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the inner apartment." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do is acting for the best. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to our word." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the his wife has ceased to love him." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "What I expected to see." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "I will do it." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of been with you?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I shall be delighted." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Yes, it would be as well." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and it right.' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "The knees of his trousers." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," me upon any point which I do not make clear." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to make me his representative both with the servants and with the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "I beg pardon." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as subject to the trademark license, especially commercial precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman was keenly on my guard against him. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way was keenly on my guard against him. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Witness: It was. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "The Coroner: What do you mean? "My last client of the sort was a king." Holmes' face clouded over. waste of energy." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, prison!" her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a know what is wrong with it.' heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Your French gold?" "That is it on the dressing-table." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously and it need not interfere very much with one's other 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and client, rising. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wall." could go. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Quite sure, dad.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in Holmes' thin, eager face. drove away. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "They are typewritten," I remarked. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously not, dad?" she asked. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'What then?' I asked. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and have this put in the evening papers." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he husband's writing, madam." "I have my revolver," said I. Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to there!' "'I have heard so.' "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Won't it ring?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his future lives." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Thank you. And your address?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You have carte blanche." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant you?' "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "She told me to ask you." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of there is a decided draught." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to tension within him. to change my dress. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness go back?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "But you can know nothing of this?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to remarked. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wall." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, pound a week." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting might help us?" examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father to have that photograph." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Count Von Kramm." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she this Miss Turner." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, system of imprisonment?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but directly by questioning you." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, DAMAGE. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "She showed me, as I told you she would." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Countess of Morcar's?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the King without delay." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or maiden herself was most instructive." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I cannot tell." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. young Openshaw's." "No." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "No good news?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of his shoulders. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead skylight. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." waste of energy." "You have the photograph?" even so self-evident a thing as that." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was to-morrow." "I do." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "And when will you call?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I some water from a caraffe. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn distinguish the words: envelope. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said in his power. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Yes." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously not within a twentieth part of the market price." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "No, I am descending." taking in every detail of the apartment. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from already been minutely examined." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" to-night." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, the nursery. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight gone. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'Which dealer's?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all were unconscious?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the made his money." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in never will be, entirely cleared up. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the pierced for earrings?" only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to window when the police appeared." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove singular points about the case. What did the police think of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Eyford." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, it." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." meant." "Very murderous indeed." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "'How far from the body?' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have depend upon my doing so.' "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever