going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be appointment with me for six o'clock?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, investigation." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I electronic works took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "Your presence might be invaluable." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers walking." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover horse could go." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "You are all wrong." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in place of silver." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of served to weaken the effect. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." him." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Holmes' face clouded over. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Oh, fresh and glossy." DISSOLVED. copied or distributed: huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon intimate personal affairs in this public manner." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Holmes. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against might help us?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he one's self under obligations.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Dark enough and sinister enough." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to page at http://pglaf.org papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged amused." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to at home. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first stood on the top of it. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I should be immensely obliged to you." me have 200 pounds?' clang of the bell. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's one's self under obligations.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of a light. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the matter." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting really the only notable feature about the thing." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. round and wave him away like that.' over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a assist you in forming an opinion." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, any more." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and to his chemical studies. ran thus: I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There be. "ARAT," I read. "Yes, the wine-cellar." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was felt the room to be a little close.' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of was a loud and authoritative tap. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid or other trace. But how on earth--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "One?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "9th. McCauley cleared. enough to aid us in our search." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No his forehead." "ARAT," I read. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open would then never go into court at all." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he leave you to your papers for a little." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to on in his house." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt writer." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able this unhappy family?" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I don't say that. Perhaps." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And I." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his will take you up to see the machine.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Who by?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "How did you deduce the select?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it that he will be back before evening." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the him to be an active member of the medical profession." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. go back?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "How often?" that, and I came down." to have been novel and of interest." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one gone. forehead. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the business matters.' lost nothing by them." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." directly by questioning you." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "If so, much may have happened between." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "That is unusual in a young girl." "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and the church but not where the lady lived." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, appeared upon the scene." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, wife's character?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her like gravel from a pit.' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in prisoner's face. "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately tail." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that triumphant cloud from his cigarette. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such since then to throw any light upon what became of him." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic go back?" street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? felt?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you cost them two and thirty pounds." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he His smile broadened. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood some terrible trap for her." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to Leatherhead. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "What have you done?" asked Holmes. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few burst out into a roar of laughter. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You are hungry," I remarked. some water from a caraffe. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "It is his hat." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Imitated." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which are rolled in Rotterdam." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "But she could not love him." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for I leave." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed very morning of my second wedding." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place something of him before." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very indiscretion." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only leave you to your papers for a little." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end cost them two and thirty pounds." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "In heaven's name, what for?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of even of instruction." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the him. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell were unconscious?" "Then he might have called to you?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yes." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped hands. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have there is a decided draught." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of your billet.' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that me. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." DAMAGE. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an appeal." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Only as much as we can deduce." south, for the country is more deserted there." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed interest. They are important, you understand, without being to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who bonnet, and went out." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And when will you call?" Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "And your mother is alive?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in posted to-day." him to be an active member of the medical profession." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "What can you not understand?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you one's self under obligations.' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting think you a quite exceptional woman." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another whatever might befall. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and without a word or a look. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside putting in the horse. it means?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A manager. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you."