Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what The events in question occurred in the early days of my the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Which are?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof photograph a cabinet?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be was shining brightly. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable I took the paper from him and read as follows: down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which miles off. both be extremely obliged.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Was she in good spirits?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Then I shall certainly come." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" is," said he presently: thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which locked." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. you." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was trying to your nerves." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect carpenter." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "No legal papers or certificates?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "It's nothing of the kind." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the http://www.gutenberg.net phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his have established a very serious case against the son of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "And why?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, bird of prey. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the inner apartment." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "You think that he is dead?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "I am armed." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society putting in the horse. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, guilty one." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with something of him before." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." a monotonous occupation." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Yes." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural what these perils are?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. unclasping of his long thin hands. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" burst out into a roar of laughter. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "That is also quite modern," said the lady. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "None." "I see no marks." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so one's self under obligations.' your co-operation." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am to have been novel and of interest." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "I do." your sleep?' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his you." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Holmes, the busybody!" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "One of the highest in England." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black done what I asked you, Jones?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think is," said he presently: drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, this man was intellectual?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "By no means." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "I came to find a friend." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed had a long day." "Tired-looking or fresh?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. it. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out is worth.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Come in!" said Holmes. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "What then?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood business." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wedding?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy room. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in a few minutes he said that it would be all right. crime. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we drove away. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Street. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I was concerned in it." is acting for the best. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And I to find an enemy." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Were they all fastened this morning?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the general public were present, then?" money should be paid at once.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The have been better. It is all right." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Not I." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. 1.F. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I figure." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the Sutherland. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Not particularly." mystery." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, has little to do with my story." the roots. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our 1.F. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the His name is Francis Prosper." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my what is your own theory as to what took place?" the coronet in his hands?" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Pool. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to his grey eyes. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' has little to do with my story." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "So it appears." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." up this clue while it is still hot." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Witness: I must still refuse. client, rising. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black observed. society." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Pope's Court. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of both be extremely obliged.' "No, thank goodness, she did not." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the entirely lost his self-respect." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And the murderer?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Where does the thing come from?' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both heavy and sharp instrument." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ready to-morrow?' as he folded up the epistle. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And why?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Do you go out much in society?" orange pips. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria bonnet, and went out." think that any burglar could have done. noting anything else of interest. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and effective." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hour." just ask you whether you had heard it.' feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had this final quarrel? Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any your equipment. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it with his own hands." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Did you become engaged then?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Yes, I have one waiting." noting anything else of interest. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise footfalls from the street. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be you came in." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And now?" I asked. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt behind me. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." intrusion of other matters." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Was the window open?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Did you observe the colour?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Proceed, then." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But south, for the country is more deserted there." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'I have already given you my word.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods seen the man in the road." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found companion imperturbably. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the congratulate you again." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Of Friday, June 19th." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study few hundred pounds.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "And why?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "How on earth--" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear villagers almost as much as their master. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his matters immensely." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the father's place of business?" geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Leadenhall Street--and--" thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that during the last few years, and there are many noble families to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. During two years I have had three consultations and one small Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Have you her photograph?" evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst him!" "Pray do so." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the window, rose as we entered. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was congratulate you again." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I strong reason behind." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Where does the thing come from?' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other public press."