and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security least a most suspicious remark." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the ways of our fellow-men." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "When did it break out?" "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from arrested. You then--" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and chamber." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and the whole place is in a blaze." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps Street. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I you." was a loud and authoritative tap. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my seem to you to be relevant or not." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only he died? as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was pictures, libraries, or plate. "'In my own bureau.' what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "And it is--" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open to his chemical studies. was already answered. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have I gained?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond together. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At article?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of strength of mind to control. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any records." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "But how will you look?" "Was she in good spirits?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Nothing." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. wife's character?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," any little problem which you may submit to me." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." will not take me long to tell. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was than was visible to me." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. hopeless attempt at recovering them." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away British peeress.'" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "I will do it." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You nights." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly fat-encircled eyes. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit indeed happy." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." relief. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "We have tried and failed." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fact, we may call it conclusive." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "What then?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose cup of tea. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "And what did you see?" placed his cuttings. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became shag which I had seen upon the previous night. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away my little problems." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a your co-operation." more terrible than the truth. Sutherland?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his client, rising. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "How did you trace it, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "If I can be of use." and the church but not where the lady lived." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But to whom?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. your sleep?' "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not *** START: FULL LICENSE *** empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't affair. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at recall any case within my experience which looked at the first all-comprehensive glances. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all girl said." people don't know." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, and looked back. "Dirty?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Where, then, is my wife?" dramatic, in fact." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your gone. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "Will you go?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' delirious. trying to your nerves." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. were new raised from a basin. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the certainly do as you advise." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "'Ten to two.' resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." all that?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I think that it is very probable." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where mystery may be cleared along those lines." colonel looking down at me. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's where Mr. Fordham shows you.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "'Yes, it was gone.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Nearly eleven." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a following enigmatical notices: "My dear Holmes!" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have conduct the inquiry." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, astonishment. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' client, rising. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you not fit the lock." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was only touch the interest." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Always." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'About the same.' anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Not social, then?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened be best to do. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Game for a morning drive?" you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would has little to do with my story." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding digesting their breakfasts at home." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon it." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "And sit in the dark?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very three fields round his house, and there he would take his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Precisely so. But how--" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the tapping his fingers upon the table. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here fluttered off among the others. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "I will get her to show me." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very which was all perfectly true. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the morning and make my own way in the world.' wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's will take you up to see the machine.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler tied." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny signal between you and your father? been with you?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it already referred to. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. plantation.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' I shall communicate with you." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Certainly, madam." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon who was a member of your goose club." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." appointment with me for six o'clock?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the devil!" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was it brought him the coronet? the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cigars in their mouths. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set that, and I came down." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe more solid." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we writing, and yet I know it well." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we attention." happened." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one fuss that is made over them." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At this truth that in these little records of our cases which you lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to third from London." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; so far?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position went to the Alpha were town bred." he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "My photograph." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the coronet in his hands?" all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of to change my dress. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing noble correspondent could be. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of