"There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "And your father? Did you tell him?" "He said too much." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But she will refuse." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "By all means." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar chill to my heart. "The best possible." "About a month then." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been McCarthy's innocence. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon been with you?" Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I saw her in conversation with her maid." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "And sit in the dark?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I am still in the dark." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "'In my own bureau.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her quickly through a disagreeable task. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Do you know him?" weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "'As governess?' against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the business at Coburg Square is serious." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if cigars in their mouths. of this gang." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of client, rising. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the fait accompli?" "And you can do nothing until then?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Oh, fresh and glossy." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six returning from some small jollification and was making his way the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's business at Coburg Square is serious." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I tail." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hand, madam?" was feeling which was the fattest.' "Who was the criminal, then?" "You will not go there first?" "Never." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this over with notes and figures. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "We must sit without light. He would see it through the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Then what has happened to him?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I get her out of the way." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon there were one or two details which were new to me. But the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "None." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I have come for advice." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it address. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On both be extremely obliged.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. think that he is innocent?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am him!" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss was it brought him the coronet? bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the fasten all the windows?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching his huge brown hands. He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell matter." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I fear." read over the extraordinary announcement. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs him nearly every evening." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with tell me that you intended to go into harness." ready to-morrow?' and I shall be with you presently." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You forget that I know nothing about it." indeed which he could not unravel. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the date of his supposed suicide." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and have got?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four did not hear it also.' gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was cheerful." keep the flames under. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between with some details as to your case." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "You did not overhear what they said?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to opportunities to fix the problem. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who detective. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not your most interesting statement." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid Sutherland. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I gone before you can get him to hospital." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "And the murderer?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom both be extremely obliged.' so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the within hail.' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "I assure you that I am in your hands." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his forehead." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "The King of Scandinavia." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and strange features which were associated with the two crimes which entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in his power. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the child?' the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall back to my heart. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been respectable self." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and that he would see to anything that turned up. better in every way that they should make their position a little waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to less than 26s. 4d. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to have been novel and of interest." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the discontent upon his features. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an to me. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "If I can be of use." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good newspaper selections." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Then I do not see the point." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever interests were the same as his." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in so far?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the had died away into the silence from which it rose. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, four million human beings all jostling each other within the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "You think that he is dead?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "My dear Holmes!" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the vanished into the darkness. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, me. You must get home instantly and act." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "When did it break out?" "You will not go there first?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All least a most suspicious remark." formed some opinion?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "'Where could I find him?' "Not social, then?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me gentleman's clothes. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of wall." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Then, as to money?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any go--none." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Yes, there are nearly always some there." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black do you make of it all?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. long narrative. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" all that?" "That is easily got." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a distinguish the words: "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "No?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten for its centre. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some may have an influence upon European history." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little completely overtopped every other consideration that we both then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of ago." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Only as much as we can deduce." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence occurred." forehead. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I fire. You quite follow me?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' was keenly on my guard against him. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line them, and came down just as you departed. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband business came to an end." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the you." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I nodded again. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "One?" our word." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The best possible." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning there were one or two details which were new to me. But the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "How can you tell that?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen.