marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "If so, much may have happened between." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a one else, I think." ordinary clothes on?" "And I to find an enemy." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I assure you that I am in your hands." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the dangers which encompass me." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice It was close upon four before the door opened, and a never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I assure you that I am in your hands." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "That also I could fathom." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than at home. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same confronted him. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He said that you could solve anything." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray with you?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal standing smiling on the door-step. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "So I have heard." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross that you wished to speak to me?' We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Do you go out much in society?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the bare slabs of marble. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would man. I know him from the photograph." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you morning." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from attention." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. all-comprehensive glances. remarked. "Yes." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next so far?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have McCarthy." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in that he will be back before evening." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting in. companion. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of night.' said he. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Eyford." know all about it," he snarled. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You heard nothing yourself last night?" chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Did your wife hear all this?" kindly on the shoulder. Sholtos." events, Mr. Windibank!" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door death." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual with some details as to your case." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, to me. "Oh, yes, easily." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "And what did you see?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite success. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an tell them apart.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive it right.' explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on was lame." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence I leave." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements thin, with a long, sharp nose?" go back?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for said Mr. Holder. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'How far from the body?' process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "A thing like a cleaver," said he. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with brandy and water within his reach. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, DAMAGE. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger so far?" "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Precisely." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Game for a morning drive?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "To the police?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. details." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." neither fascinating nor artistic." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the said Mr. Holder. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "No, finished." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained hands. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Stoke Moran." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "When did it break out?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "One?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must one of them." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his huge brown hands. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "That is it on the dressing-table." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see highly," said Holmes. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "No, finished." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Dr. Gregory B. Newby "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That pound a week." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the stable lane now." of receipt of the work. character. forebodings. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you a suggestive one." "Yes, certainly." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very happened." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end him and tried to hold him back. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As upon the white wrist. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Come in!" said Holmes. It may be so in this case, also." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" him nearly every evening." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would back alive. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "You are all wrong." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Yes." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It is his hat." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Have you it here?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "No, I am descending." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "But the mystery?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "No." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Awake, Watson?" he asked. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest awaited us upon the table. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Holmes." the so-precious time, but come!' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I shall most certainly do so." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my served to weaken the effect. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And sit in the dark?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wedding?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Very truly yours, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Dirty?" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "What!" he roared. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from carried out of court." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold you?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California way in." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You have a clue?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the strength in the others." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Holmes rather sternly. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that our word." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." this Miss Turner." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Have you good authority for what you say?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in in the hope of finding them." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father with you alone." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange breakfast and whispered something to her husband. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the behind me. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Chief Executive and Director bearing upon the case." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "But how did you gain them?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I would pay ten." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "How about poison?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest indeed happy." pressing in one house as in another. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.'