pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask to some other building. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Where did you address your letters, then?" danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I took the paper from him and read as follows: already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so his cane at the bell-pull. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you a very grave face. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'Yes.' "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have how narrow had been my escape. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that begun to whiten, even as mine has." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Yes." to change my dress. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the lectures into a series of tales." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Bought." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But never to learn it at all." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Eyford." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and one of them." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Did you observe the colour?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Pray let us have it, for all that." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." than was visible to me." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I quick march!" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. fashion which was peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "One horse?" interjected Holmes. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Foundation "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the knowledge of the world." there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your against a man in the prime of life?" Foundation "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped as yours." "Of what?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little nonsense.' "Yes, they were peculiar boots." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to colour had been driven from his face. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Look there!" said he. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "You have a clue?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "One of his hands." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of the one which your family is now devouring." the morning and make my own way in the world.' a monotonous occupation." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a I have it here in my museum." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "To an end?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." could gather together that I was able to avert another public Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them intrusion of other matters." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "What of the rat, then?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the to take care of herself." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "How often?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "It came here." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "No legal papers or certificates?" "'Yes, sir.' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every carriage. It was a chestnut." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for This is what he says: "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied on in his house." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Upon what point?" "No, but the enclosure is." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "What do you make of that, Watson?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I breakfast and whispered something to her husband. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a outbreak?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my mysterious end." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can not as remarkable as your advertisement." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the side-table." "The gentleman I describe." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself anything to do with the matter?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the outbreak?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little that you saw all that I did." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which status with the IRS. "And your father? Did you tell him?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt morning." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of weapon." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. place of silver." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Stolen." humiliation." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to strong reason behind." client, rising. "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. sneer upon his pale face. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I have a cab outside." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the might have a private word with us. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate which I could not give. He asked for Alice. returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Have you her photograph?" have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very all that?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Yes, there are nearly always some there." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Nothing." from the brougham. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to seen the man in the road." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City are windows in it, of course?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "No more words. Get out!" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked as yours." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Holmes rather sternly. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to electronic works state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. copied or distributed: "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out corner of the building. must compliment you." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss unkempt, staring out at me. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which points to suicide?" "I think it very unlikely." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and problems help me to do so." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with is now desirous of getting those letters back." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in said I. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she horse could go." in his hands." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Pope's Court. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "He might." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "How about poison?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Imitated." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking golden eyeglasses. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Very good.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ago." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. death." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a speckled band?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "It certainly sounds feasible." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pressing in one house as in another. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Pray be precise as to details," said he. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the used to be." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet golden eyeglasses. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into nothing with him." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in his power. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It is possible." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying Chief Executive and Director that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the photograph?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his an introduction to him?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat excitement. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Bought." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent memory. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You are certainly joking, Holmes." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil crowd. feature." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low second window is the one that I jumped from." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's business." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Well." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his dear old homesteads?" a good hundred miles off by now." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The points to suicide?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my hour?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, pound a week." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman happened." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, mysterious end." "And who is her maid?" "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in this note: judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love desk. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to bled considerably." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two fact, we may call it conclusive." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear allusion to a rat. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. populous neighbourhood." was feeling which was the fattest.' know all about it," he snarled. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Quite so." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some