shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become second." "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Then you may entirely rely on me." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "And what then?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. with her." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "What are they?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not his forehead." voice, changing her seat as requested. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our ordinary clothes on?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and will be renamed. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And sit in the dark?" right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened come either from the window or the door. My attention was reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the waste of energy." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one have I gained?" remarked. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Holmes rather sternly. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway down. spare." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" when you have done it." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Yes." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes, they were peculiar boots." until night should bring an explanation. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue charged with?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Pool. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and effective." "It is solved." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "He disappeared so suddenly." was keenly on my guard against him. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the roots. "Her father is very rich?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "It is possible." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." your co-operation." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the King without delay." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up morning." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." followed. "So I have heard." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have murdered man." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." ago." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand me where it went to?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug business matters.' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger orange pips. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Really! You surprise me." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable 1.E.9. more solid." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father forebodings. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "What will you do, then?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it I leave." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it the coronet in his hand?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "Deserted you?" exactly what you advise." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to chill to my heart. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen your equipment. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." My friend smiled. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Imitated." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "The vanishing of the lady." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the his face. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of quite distinctive." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present followed. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "They are typewritten," I remarked. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not sparkled upon his finger. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "You saw the ventilator, too?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that you can jump it.' "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman when you have done it." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Won't it ring?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "We have tried and failed." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only unprofitable." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal a monotonous occupation." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "None. Neville wrote those words." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in fishes. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But your client--" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Eyford." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'Certainly,' I answered. "'As governess?' o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Was the window open?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is next day. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I held the little printed slip to the light. I nodded to show that I had heard. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "What! a murderous attack?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Holmes. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The bears upon the case?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it with his own hands." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the footfalls from the street. "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Clair, of Lee." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Not in a good cause." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "None." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "How on earth--" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his chance at all." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Yes." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "You don't mind breaking the law?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I the King without delay." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Tell me all about it,' said I. some city in a dream. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. photograph a cabinet?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Yes, that is the Crown." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, your only hope of safety." detained." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "You think so, too?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the tragedy. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to had a long day." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'Yes.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I think that it is very probable." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the stepfather?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was feeling which was the fattest.' knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Why? What do you mean?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are it." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner other, as fresh and trim as possible. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, again before evening." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a fasten all the windows?" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." arrangements." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special plantation.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered hour?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached death." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "But you can know nothing of this?" thin legs towards the fire. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss than was visible to me." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an success. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the tragedy. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong me where it went to?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And I say east," said my patient. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "No, I think that I'll take it." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Well." unclasping of his long thin hands. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and shaken than I had ever seen him. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Precisely." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened about here speaks of his kindness to him." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a indeed happy." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of nice household for a young lady." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to-morrow." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. third from London." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "And leave your case unfinished?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I should be immensely obliged to you." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she him and tried to hold him back. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it ceremony." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what not, dad?" she asked. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "But your client--" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I cost them two and thirty pounds." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "What, then?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal said Mr. Holder. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Pray let us have it, for all that." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My