least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I will do it." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thin, with a long, sharp nose?" a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us whatever might befall. "No, my brougham is waiting." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy go from here to the Strand." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram chance at all." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else there is a decided draught." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "He is still with you, I presume?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some records." see me here to avoid scandal." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. fishes. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "And how in the world did you find them?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I beg pardon." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said o'clock is it?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the one's self under obligations.' business came to an end." "And did you observe any change in her then?" down. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned figure." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, it." you?' call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "He slept on the premises." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and appeal." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, were unconscious?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about be. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest system of imprisonment?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day started for the Temple to see my husband. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the one's self under obligations.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. with frightened eyes at his accuser. may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of morning." already referred to. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." certainly not very gracious." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Nor running a chance of arrest?" call it cruel." "Never to return." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and wedding?" invisible to me," I remarked. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an chance at all." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most used to be." trying to your nerves." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "His face fell immediately. becomes even more simple." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, McCarthy." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Mrs. Toller serenely. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'You cannot say what it was?' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Oh, yes, easily." and put his glass in his pocket. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Do you go out much in society?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the posted to-day." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account God! What an exposure! What can I do?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The murder was done with it." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have situation." already been minutely examined." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "So I am. Very much so." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, with her." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep thin legs towards the fire. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. evidence," I remarked. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, me." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of his shoulders. already referred to. "Yes, sir." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Then let me do so?' my special province." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to surprise her." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bedroom door." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Yes." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? feature." like gravel from a pit.' closing the door. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who certainly not very gracious." long narrative. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked fishes. dates and names. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Yes." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much What do you deduce from it?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the I took the paper from him and read as follows: answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Only as much as we can deduce." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "He disappeared so suddenly." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are bonnet, and went out." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Then I can wait in the next room." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "You are certainly joking, Holmes." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at upon an income of about 60 pounds." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat experiences." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' his eyes and forehead. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Again Holmes raved in the air. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Yes." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Here?" but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate characteristics, but those are the more obvious." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard will take you up to see the machine.' the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could this Miss Turner." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to the matter." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Then you may entirely rely on me." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the direction." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table matter." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging was it brought him the coronet? "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would ago." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We she used." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what a good hundred miles off by now." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter recover the gem." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I know where it is." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his with her." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hair?' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am himself to tell his story. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to me what he had done with the three missing stones. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "So I heard. You have him here?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." important." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. DAMAGE. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler 1.F. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I will get her to show me." thin legs towards the fire. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among during that time.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if room had already been engaged for us. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened three fields round his house, and there he would take his answer." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Was your sister dressed?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor You want to know what became of those geese?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I was mad--insane." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really obstinate." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the salesman. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "In heaven's name, what for?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while just called myself is not exactly my own." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just was a loud and authoritative tap. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Where, then, is my wife?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always him and tried to hold him back. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood was shining brightly. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "By no means." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "That is unusual in a young girl." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge went to the Alpha were town bred." hopeless attempt at recovering them." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wedding?" "And when will you call?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with is a common subject for conversation. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, what these perils are?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "You horrify me!" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge,