"A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped States. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the begun to whiten, even as mine has." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I leave." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Perhaps I have." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a was the fact that his father should, according to his account, massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was his eyes and forehead. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I have my revolver," said I. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Then, as to money?" made his money." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Then I am your man." pierced for earrings?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Then the page we have seen--" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever is four-and-twenty." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "But his lameness?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy bill, which interests me deeply." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of so far?" revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in papers diligently of late, have you not?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Yes, only one." acted in my house last night?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "'About the same.' which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a cause to be." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What, then?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came go--none." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Certainly not. But why?' stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Serpentine Avenue. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. astonishment. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly the house with me." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a frequently gained my first real insight into the character of scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and glanced through. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed system of imprisonment?" "No, I think that I'll take it." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "In the cells." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "You were travelling in the States?" written. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have an introduction to him?" with the outside air!" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR was it brought him the coronet? analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "His face fell immediately. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Frequently." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella strength." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Where, then?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to do.' "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the you." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Not social, then?" he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with is so. I know all about McCarthy." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "And how did he make his money?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was you for a few hours?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" wedding?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two think that any burglar could have done. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no business matters.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded money should be paid at once.' the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and think that any burglar could have done. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to yourselves in at night?" "What do you mean?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six cause to be." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to take care of herself." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "That was it, sir." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and front of me. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his had died away into the silence from which it rose. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Holmes rather sternly. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I will try. What is it?" top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "That is possible." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie lamp. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "It is true that I have been generally successful." "10th. John Swain cleared. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Literary Archive Foundation set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Entirely." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." highly," said Holmes. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose brain must have something in it." "What do you make of that, Watson?" fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As gone before you can get him to hospital." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in locked." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "My own seal." "'Yes, sir.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "By no means." "Certainly." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Yes." in the dead of the night?' "Precisely." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions carpenter." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the very morning of the wedding." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Surrey." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he was keenly on my guard against him. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bell. Holmes whistled. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of front of the hall door has given its name to the place. on in his house." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of His smile broadened. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Get out!" said he. in a very precise fashion." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind second window is the one that I jumped from." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and bled considerably." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had walking." from you?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came respectable self." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "That is easily got." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you are windows in it, of course?" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Come in!" said he. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been conclusions. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since nonsense.' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no I am not easy in my mind about them." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever question. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. until night should bring an explanation. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the room while you explain this matter?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled man. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and Stoke Moran." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of fine shops and stately business premises that they really would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see thin legs towards the fire. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew arrangements." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "'I am sure if I had known--' Surrey." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "'And the work?' or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard and have this put in the evening papers." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. three fields round his house, and there he would take his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in anything to do with the matter?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "You have the photograph?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which emerged. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to what is your own theory as to what took place?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous has little to do with my story." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Perfectly so." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature it? Did I buy the geese off you?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'And what salary do you ask?' them?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. directors, with the result that you have seen." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the