with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was money should be paid at once.' "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And how did he make his money?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "We must have a cab." plantation.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's hurried away. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Really! You surprise me." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else Does that suggest anything?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Quite so. She has her freedom." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Nothing." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture might have a private word with us. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with My friend smiled. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And you don't know his address?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Never to return." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham furiously. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving think you a quite exceptional woman." Street. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "My private note-paper." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "No legal papers or certificates?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, there!' however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. with some details as to your case." of." quickly through a disagreeable task. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the child." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure chamber." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it in his hands." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the matter?" wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, head. So long, then!" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." sufficient punishment." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far up this clue while it is still hot." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. tell them apart.' amused." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his his grey eyes. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see intrusion of other matters." business came to an end." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly floor. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, one's self under obligations.' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Could he throw no light?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it writer." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and flock.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared grasp, he hurried from the room. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Thank you. And your address?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Heh?' and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and to-night's adventure." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and knowledge of the world." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have not within a twentieth part of the market price." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Not I." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite memory. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I should wish to." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "And leave your case unfinished?" and the whole place is in a blaze." gentleman's clothes. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some because she had spent so short a time in this country that she room had already been engaged for us. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in said I. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried if only as a check to my own memory." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it me where it went to?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "How can you tell that?" they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir fuss that is made over them." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Perfectly so." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without papers." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "The vanishing of the lady." nonsense.' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "It is possible." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. appeal." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, distinguish the words: coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and existence." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. which it had come upon my father." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. roused himself from his reverie. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "And did you observe any change in her then?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while would then never go into court at all." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "But we can't all be." gives a meaning to it." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "The knees of his trousers." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to but preventing her from injuring another. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "By no means." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway to me. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew see me here to avoid scandal." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Were they all fastened this morning?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent strange features which were associated with the two crimes which has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in wanted for ourselves." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to never came back." the coronet in his hand?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "It is possible." "What! Had he lost his wife?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you front of me. off." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "That is unusual in a young girl." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I am not easy in my mind about them." "You have but to name it." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "You think so, too?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The mystery!" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from learned something! Where are the gems?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull recall any case within my experience which looked at the first solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' be. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who nice household for a young lady." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." to talk it over. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and inquire as to the address." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "9th. McCauley cleared. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'In my own bureau.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This few hundred pounds.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up trifles." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and all of them with the keenest interest. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw name is different." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by main points of my analysis." quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke that threaten you." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "I guessed as much." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: fasten all the windows?" points to suicide?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to me. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ashen face. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," four million human beings all jostling each other within the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Yes, only one." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, his cane at the bell-pull. this poor creature." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George locked. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the intimate personal affairs in this public manner." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Only as much as we can deduce." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" photograph a cabinet?" child?' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "You horrify me." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "And how in the world did you find them?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry ways including including checks, online payments and credit card paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "I have hopes." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Not I." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It could gather together that I was able to avert another public upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the little opening for the ventilator is." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "That is possible." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number good-night and bustled off upon her way. answered with a sidelong glance. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small became a certainty. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I was certainly surprised to find you there." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again.