"Your reasoning is certainly plausible." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was already been minutely examined." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I least a fellow-countryman. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather nothing with him." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable that the gas is not laid on in his house?" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we carriage. It was a chestnut." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" house for five minutes.' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'I am sure that I do not know.' how narrow had been my escape. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, get the tickets." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank your room." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to now. It seems that there had been some informality about their complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this points in connection with it which never have been, and probably by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. business in the City. She little knew what. "'Stolen!' he cried. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "And sit in the dark?" discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even least a fellow-countryman. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'No, I know no one in these parts.' seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "No, distinctly professional." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "But who is he?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Did you observe the colour?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a detective. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "It's nothing of the kind." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have security.' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the general public were present, then?" "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Ten to two.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, II. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? What do you deduce from it?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the warnings." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a one's self under obligations.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. unprofitable." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing there when the Rucastles went away." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of you in yours." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "How did he come?" Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You have but to name it." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes, it would be as well." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, but China?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Holmes' thin, eager face. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "What then?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. kindly on the shoulder. there!' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a This is what he says: glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. distinguish the words: "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. may have an influence upon European history." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with stepfather?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the at a side door. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Chief Executive and Director belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a him." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with cost them two and thirty pounds." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so hereditary King of Bohemia." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a think that he is innocent?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet What do you deduce from it?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of not personally threatened." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey do.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' did not hear it also.' "My dear Holmes!" perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. case-book, which he consulted. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "To an English lawyer named Norton." "And what did you see?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "What can it mean?" I gasped. "And it is--" very morning of my second wedding." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the one as in the other." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Get out!" said he. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Yes, that is the Crown." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are and wait." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled strode off upon his way. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak me. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "It is solved." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you remarked. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." directly by questioning you." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'What do you call purely nominal?' thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches never to learn it at all." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and just called myself is not exactly my own." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "And it is--" bachelor.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while to affect your life." "Have you it here?" cost them two and thirty pounds." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fattened it expressly for you.' "Very much so." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we ill-usage at the hands of fortune. foot. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs time." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Then I am your man." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of became a certainty. is acting for the best. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Pope's Court. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "'A dozen yards or so.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. his grey eyes. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Where, then, is my wife?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed now. It seems that there had been some informality about their upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Very much so." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself are, I think, all that we need." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose arrested. You then--" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the astonishment. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you showing my impatience. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the inquest, and which are worth considering." tightly behind him. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without clanging. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I what do you think they found in the pockets?" purpose equally well?" "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin 'I should be able to look after that for you.' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. ready to-morrow?' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her against a man in the prime of life?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'Yes, sir.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Then how many are there?" enter into my head. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by subject to the trademark license, especially commercial conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really will take you up to see the machine.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever envelope. Count Von Kramm." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should never will be, entirely cleared up. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Why did you pick him?" several quiet little villages up there." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, with you?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three true." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she which are rolled in Rotterdam." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "What will you say?" "Not in a good cause." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and ago." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a more solid." of Mr. Rucastle's." think, you have already met." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a possible that we could bring him back to her? It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "Texas, I think." "Which are?" "On Monday." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Not I." returned to France?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "But what will you do?" the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during highly," said Holmes. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his face which made him a very different person to the round, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in conclusions. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this minor matters until to-morrow." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Have you good authority for what you say?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the important." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the tapping his fingers upon the table. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Because he was handy and would come cheap." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Then what has happened to him?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the salesman. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "But of what society?" advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew one else, I think." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a have had none more fantastic than this." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Mrs. Toller serenely. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey results." "Yes, but only for you and me." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "If I can be of use." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the him!" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "But the mystery?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no companion. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but roused himself from his reverie. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put room. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned