man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to-night?" I asked. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Nothing." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in matters immensely." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, call you and give you the chance." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer business came to an end." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been directors have had misgivings upon the subject." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "Then the page we have seen--" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the room while you explain this matter?" attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Entirely." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to voice, changing her seat as requested. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Was the window open?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and see me here to avoid scandal." friend's singular character. "None." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "But who is he?" "How on earth--" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more instituted." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Stoke Moran." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a he died? abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This characteristics, but those are the more obvious." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who ill-usage at the hands of fortune. forbidden door. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a felt the room to be a little close.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hour." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. on in his house." nice household for a young lady." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored ago." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Nothing?" freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your the coroner come to?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. my special province." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Ah!" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running the nursery. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box is so. I know all about McCarthy." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. little trying to do so much typewriting?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "So I have heard." License. You must require such a user to return or fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "But he might be a bachelor." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards obstinate." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. despair." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "A greater distance to travel." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that companion imperturbably. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story do you make of it all?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "That sounds a little paradoxical." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we this Miss Turner." foot. furiously. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "It's nothing of the kind." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shall not find me ungrateful." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I will try. What is it?" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bedroom door." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of of his shoulders. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this tail." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "No, but the enclosure is." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his 1.E.9. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "You forget that I know nothing about it." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the when you have done it." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is License. You must require such a user to return or money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what straighten it?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "But you would not advise me to refuse?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the less than 26s. 4d. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet wedding?" we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick your billet.' pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of coat-tails." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard with you?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door other, as fresh and trim as possible. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw was used.' "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'Certainly not.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the King without delay." said he at last. "You have carte blanche." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you unclasping of his long thin hands. more terrible than the truth. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "My photograph." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid down from London to inquire more deeply into it." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "That is easily got." evidence," I remarked. "I should be immensely obliged to you." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "No." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll suspect him." "No." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and and I shall be with you presently." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "What have you to say now?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "The gentleman I describe." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Yes, sir." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he over his head with a sweet womanly caress. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low gbnewby@pglaf.org "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is later, upon the night of May 2nd." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands your billet.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "What can it mean?" I gasped. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the must compliment you." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is hard-headed British jury." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged man. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." disturbance in my wife." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Breckinridge is his name." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at companion. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe some terrible trap for her." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Ten to two.' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty window when the police appeared." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in careless servant girl?" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "You have carte blanche." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I leave." "Get out!" said he. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" IS should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the him nearly every evening." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as things are very often connected not with the larger but with the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "But she will refuse." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "In heaven's name, what for?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "None." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Why, it's a dummy," said he. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over a suggestive one." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "That is it on the dressing-table." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." certainly not very gracious." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Never to return." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to a more successful conclusion." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took intrusion of other matters." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of hardly wander." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his jewels which you have stolen?' together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Then, how do you know?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at cigars in the box." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and pity, because in other respects you would really have done very at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "The Cedars?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" it were putty." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' it." it were putty." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the some water from a caraffe. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "By train from Waterloo." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "And Miss Sutherland?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most which our visitor detailed to us. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every foot. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Serpentine Avenue. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "What?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I cannot think." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came