own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Here?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. opportunities to fix the problem. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I am all attention, madam." imbecility!" he cried. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the client, rising. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the notes," he said. "Nothing?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It surprised me." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I anything to do with the matter?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was question you as to those details which seem to me to be most every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot away to you." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in obstinate." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the your bag." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be must compliment you." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn head. So long, then!" "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of records." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that once more to my work. exactly what you advise." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole kind enough to tell me what I should do." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "I shall be delighted." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Pray be precise as to details," said he. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and one else, I think." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "I will not look." always that they were such commands as a lady might with him." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if was feeling which was the fattest.' takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried families. Now for the facts. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "But to whom?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Never." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That becomes even more simple." "Not in a good cause." "When did it break out?" other means.' as this. Pray let me have the details." the house with me." was used.' protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project good-night and bustled off upon her way. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at burst out into a roar of laughter. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Serpentine Avenue. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, what I may call a really hard day's work." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional that there was nothing in it, after all." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Precisely." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "In what way?" asked Holmes. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a outside. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. there in twenty minutes." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Have you it here?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." problems help me to do so." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "She showed me, as I told you she would." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently helping a boy to put up the shutters. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Here?" to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and glanced through. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, a monotonous occupation." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are orange pips. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is tension within him. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then he might have called to you?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. that I can to serve you." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic once more. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Your presence might be invaluable." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out way: and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. be. once more for Briony Lodge. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What, then?" "'In my own bureau.' strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, really the only notable feature about the thing." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" weary and pale-looking. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the stones. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and the church but not where the lady lived." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact night.' said he. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my noting anything else of interest. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," strode off upon his way. "Very murderous indeed." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, hard-headed British jury." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My dear Holmes!" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We all that?" views." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for me have 200 pounds?' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and the church but not where the lady lived." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you sparkled upon his finger. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace are, and they are waiting for us." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Holmes' face clouded over. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps unprofitable." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "What, then, did Peterson do?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "It is possible." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up IS which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Miss Holder?" the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But how will you look?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some one of the states of the Union." the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Yes." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. be there in time for your coming." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining to that open window." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it cigars in their mouths. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'What, the red-headed man?' "I would pay ten." death." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fatally injured? "I see no marks." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what From what you have told me I think that it is possible that received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his should be taken.' beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, details." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Why that?' I asks. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our is four-and-twenty." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and fire. You quite follow me?" "It is possible." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "BALLARAT." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. with you alone." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." outsides of the windows. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it what is your own theory as to what took place?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "About a month then." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in a monotonous occupation." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he garden below. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a believe that I should never have any practice at all. interest. They are important, you understand, without being and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that gone before you can get him to hospital." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." hurried away. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And your father? Did you tell him?" fuss that is made over them." the room while you explain this matter?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the inquest, and which are worth considering." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two money should be paid at once.' me." yourselves in at night?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is American. Then who could this American be, and why should he order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "Pray do so." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" money should be paid at once.' "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said take the flies, but not before." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to miss it." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Yes, from Horsham." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Really! You surprise me." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sufficient punishment." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in one or two places in England?' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis his face which made him a very different person to the round, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the late!' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shoulder. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. look dissatisfied." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "And I say east," said my patient. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat,