o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled door?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go companion. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker me. You must get home instantly and act." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one comes from the middle window." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "Really! You surprise me." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding shoulder; "he's all right." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Well, it is a possible supposition." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "The gentleman I describe." "Quite so." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for all that?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the enter Dr. Roylott's room." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since washing it down with a long draught of water. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some carried out of court." power." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than conclusions. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Here?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. correct than the official force." "I think that it is very probable." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, heavy and sharp instrument." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then orange pips. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which that side. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Witness: It was. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I will be renamed. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his train from Paddington which would bring you there at about to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He I was concerned in it." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Where, indeed?" "Yes." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new threw himself down with his face to the pillow. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment your own bird, so if you wish--" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary should be so warm over such a trifle." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low your only hope of safety." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with child?' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at best detective that ever lived. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. money should be paid at once.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "He might." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A attention." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and room?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right neither fascinating nor artistic." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But you can know nothing of this?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Yes, only one." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that you wished to speak to me?' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to affect your life." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at followed. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, populous neighbourhood." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And how did you find out?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'And the work?' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "She showed me, as I told you she would." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "My last client of the sort was a king." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "No?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "But what is it you wish?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep 'please.'" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle ready to-morrow?' solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the Friday. Was it to be in church?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "You were travelling in the States?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Here?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "But how will you look?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. the nursery. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And you can do nothing until then?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all test if we have an answer to our advertisement." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "And for present expenses?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "So I have heard." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor money should be paid at once.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was already answered. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of with you?" "It is very kind of you." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Precisely." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Never,' said I. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I am about to be married." "It came here." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Can I be of assistance?" both be extremely obliged.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall status with the IRS. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Then, how do you know?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about I leave." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its drove away. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at as he folded up the epistle. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Literary Archive Foundation tied." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "The gentleman I describe." drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, direction." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "They are typewritten," I remarked. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "And what did you learn from him?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. mysterious business." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that everything which you would wish to know." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big What do you deduce from it?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "It is a murder, then?" hereditary King of Bohemia." "Could he throw no light?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what I leave." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting their singular warning or token before them when starting upon he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America as the one I chose?' "When did she vanish, then?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "How did you trace it, then?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the stable lane now." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which electronic works "Come in!" said Holmes. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Certainly,' I answered. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival in the port of London." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, o'clock is it?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Miss Holder?" you do it in twenty minutes!' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Where, then, is my wife?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." your room." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, never came back." "You have but to name it." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the them?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the matter?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And help." "If I can be of use." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." asked. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "And how did you verify them?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "How did he come?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a has little to do with my story." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "I was afraid that you were engaged." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. undoubtedly my uncle's." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It you do it in twenty minutes!' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." drove away. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "None." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only horse could go." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, showing my impatience. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'I have already given you my word.' "'Most admirably.' laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "By no means." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, that he has suffered." later, upon the night of May 2nd." certainly not very gracious." light and attacked it." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. hour." up this clue while it is still hot." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for room?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "You heard nothing yourself last night?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See thin legs towards the fire. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Sholtos." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time quick march!" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little together. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the salesman. "I do." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood call you and give you the chance." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "I think that it is very probable."