wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "One of his hands." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London conclusions. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," started for the Temple to see my husband. there!' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no his wife has ceased to love him." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I guilty one." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Then he might have called to you?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the nothing with him." plantation.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Your sister is dead, then?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or rooms." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "What steps will you take?" I asked. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "It is possible." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and residence of the great financier. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. posted to-day." still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: not come at once?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and I shall be with you presently." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "And why?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its hurried by. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "You did not overhear what they said?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Where to?" hour." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" your room." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the some terrible trap for her." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "At half-wages, in fact." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Can I be of assistance?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an never came back." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, happened." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I nodded to show that I had heard. "'What, the red-headed man?' left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Whose house is it?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a her also." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless horse could go." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. get her out of the way." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of his eyes and forehead. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little helping a boy to put up the shutters. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'Why that?' I asks. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Then he might have called to you?" its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "How about poison?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the crime. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if the one as in the other." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I legal crime." License. You must require such a user to return or thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." would apply.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was presented which may be striking and bizarre without being father's young wife. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets bird I ate is country bred." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You have carte blanche." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." nonsense.' "'Where to?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There until night should bring an explanation. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. I approached. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much was it brought him the coronet? "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm come either from the window or the door. My attention was salesman. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'Then let me do so?' look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest out of this horrible affair." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to to take care of herself." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely obstinate." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which sooner or later she must fall a victim. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "VIOLET HUNTER." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his locked." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and it need not interfere very much with one's other should be taken.' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of strength in the others." dramatic, in fact." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a the nursery. garden below. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the King without delay." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. ordinary clothes on?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for pressing in one house as in another. careless servant girl?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" mysterious business." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "When did she vanish, then?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "He slept on the premises." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with that I am arrested." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon chemical work which was so dear to him. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." tell me that you intended to go into harness." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, acted in my house last night?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive villagers almost as much as their master. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "And what then?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't she to prove their authenticity?" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after fire. You quite follow me?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet over here." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was to have been novel and of interest." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I cannot imagine." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this sparkled upon his finger. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me on in his house." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "That was it, sir." them, and came down just as you departed. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." think that he is innocent?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." it with his own hands." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It said I. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "But it has twice been burgled." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to colour had been driven from his face. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no he died? Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may in my life." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study down. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" prison!" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the forebodings. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these mysterious end." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to you in your example." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Leave Paddington by the 11:15." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Yes, sir." of campaign. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the charge against him will break down." "My dear Holmes!" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "And why in hopes?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the matter?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. to miss it." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. spare." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Where did he live, then?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you must compliment you." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'There is a drive, then?' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Not yet." from you?" "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "How on earth--" Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our to me. for the market.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of them has the shutters up.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I am following you closely," I answered. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah you." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it