implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." here." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in writer." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by business." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the running down." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I his face. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had must be when I saw the door open.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to direction." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the but preventing her from injuring another. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had companion. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close Dr. Gregory B. Newby tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's child?' endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left ways of our fellow-men." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while affair. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his cane at the bell-pull. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. amused." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Holmes rather sternly. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "But I have heard all that you have heard." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name triumphant cloud from his cigarette. you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with you." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to for the market.' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy detained." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you your room." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who place of silver." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could legal crime." nonsense.' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" coroner's jury." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Yes, but only for you and me." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "You have compromised yourself seriously." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay ago." me where it went to?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no returned to France?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Very truly yours, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it situation." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. father's young wife. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'Why that?' I asks. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you you want, then?' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Then he might have called to you?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon skylight. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the night.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, strength in the others." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the driver. "No." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "You have but to name it." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" meanly of me." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." true." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down disappearance of these gems?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Nothing?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "But he might be a bachelor." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." been deceived." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole tightly behind him. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began fattened it expressly for you.' number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "It looks newer than the other things?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred in your London, you will know that the office of the company is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I cannot tell." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of from the brougham. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I him!" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness chill to my heart. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an forehead. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "And what did you see?" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "What do you make of that, Watson?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of straighten it?" putting in the horse. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "I cannot tell." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless congenial hunt. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have be sorry for having acted so harshly." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I cannot tell." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Not social, then?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for all-comprehensive glances. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to it." License. You must require such a user to return or fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that will be renamed. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "My dear Holmes!" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden I shall continue with my miserable story. from the brougham. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your eat it." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may suddenly upon us." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the so-precious time, but come!' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Lestrade of Scotland Yard." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four himself in a perplexing position. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant with frightened eyes at his accuser. noting anything else of interest. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to it right.' "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I purpose of examination. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light rooms." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the house with me." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question green of the new foliage. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "How did he come?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "That also I could fathom." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was it brought him the coronet? half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. crowd. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Then I am your man." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather without a word or a look. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Certainly." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age felt the room to be a little close.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It is very clear." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The vanishing of the lady." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Yes." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where respectable self." I am not easy in my mind about them." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What!" he roared. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left habit of advancing money.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his might help us?" "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears I leave." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "And for present expenses?" villagers almost as much as their master. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the one as in the other." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR of Fenchurch Street." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my outbreak?" call it cruel." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Did you observe the colour?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Mrs. Toller serenely. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "That you are never beaten." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. answer." his face. "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal