"What then?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main narrative." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, it is a possible supposition." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens written, and locked the door of the office after me. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sound at heart." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a questionable one." it right.' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "And I to find an enemy." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say stepfather?" "To an end?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited wedding?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that you saw all that I did." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it cup of tea. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered think that any burglar could have done. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Yes." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I took the paper from him and read as follows: have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which wedding?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, were wasted." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while the coronet in his hand?" forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the were new raised from a basin. formed some opinion?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our my former friend and companion. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but papers must be those that are destroyed.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he fat-encircled eyes. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I have seen the police." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I it." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for quickly through a disagreeable task. the running down." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve know all about it," he snarled. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to hardly wander." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I cannot think." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat know what is wrong with it.' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you again, where I was soon asleep. to have been novel and of interest." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. criminal. We have already had experience of such." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the already referred to. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as at a side door. "Yes." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Yes, all." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed me. There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and himself to hunt down. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said the best of training." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Ah!" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Nor running a chance of arrest?" see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not which our visitor detailed to us. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the into the bag, and made for the door. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Eyford." "Yes." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. ceremony." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "No." "Then you may entirely rely on me." formed some opinion?" points to suicide?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the lamp in his hand. get her out of the way." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It is no ordinary one." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a lost his Christmas dinner." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" before the coroner and the police-court." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in signal between you and your father? reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his and your relations to her." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one for its centre. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, and laid it on the table. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Have you it here?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand people don't know." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Never to return." brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge said I. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Stoke Moran." discontent upon his features. "None. Neville wrote those words." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been colonel looking down at me. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest showing my impatience. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from will find little credit to be gained out of this case." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'As governess?' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "He is dead," cried several voices. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him ashen face. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Were they all fastened this morning?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered the Friday. Was it to be in church?" our word." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Two days later this same performance was gone through under a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But what will you do?" has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And you don't know his address?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San appeal." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased I nodded to show that I had heard. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of Mr. Rucastle's." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I was certainly surprised to find you there." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly status with the IRS. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "No. What a strange idea!" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. said he. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "By no means." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But how did you gain them?" some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off again before evening." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of sooner or later she must fall a victim. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box definite end. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "You forget that I know nothing about it." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the everything which you would wish to know." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little that I can to serve you." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See bare slabs of marble. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor highroad, where all traces were lost. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges opened the door, and slipped through. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able business." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and wait." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "But how will you look?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. you came in." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built had a long day." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Have you good authority for what you say?" asked. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Dirty?" so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Then I do not see the point." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "No, distinctly professional." quickly through a disagreeable task. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of is acting for the best. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and like gravel from a pit.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "One of his hands." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "I am about to be married." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "But you would not advise me to refuse?" done what I asked you, Jones?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And help." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. telegram would bring me down to your help." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'Very good.' question. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was