of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does hour." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and corner of the building. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. unkempt, staring out at me. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his case-book, which he consulted. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "At the wedding breakfast." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. girl said." invisible to me," I remarked. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Yes, it was twisted." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "There is the writing." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Who by?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Will you go?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of train.' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what thin legs towards the fire. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I have my revolver," said I. in a friendly supper." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "It is very kind of you." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. dear old homesteads?" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "That is also quite modern," said the lady. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. such attractions and accomplishments?' police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done answer." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Nothing?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and is," said he presently: Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not back to my heart. him to go away.' "Quite so. She has her freedom." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. carpenter." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late affection." "'Entirely.' to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a like gravel from a pit.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are do you make of it all?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to you came in." London for the present?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It http://gutenberg.net/license). laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the matter." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might in a friendly supper." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Again Holmes raved in the air. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the one as in the other." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and astonishment. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check are, I think, all that we need." "A client, then?" companion quietly. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose gone. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, spark where all is dark to me." national property. I was determined that the law should have its But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had entirely lost his self-respect." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may ceremony." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Heh?' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Breckinridge is his name." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "And why?" 11:15.' be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bled considerably." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a hands. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he waste of energy." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice indiscretion." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the matter?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was events than those which have happened in my own family." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open guilty parties." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which way in everything. upon an income of about 60 pounds." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Why serious?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between of this gang." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'Yes, sir.' main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Holmes, the busybody!" garden below. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. door?" remarked. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the you do it in twenty minutes!' Pool. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found cheerful." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in standing smiling on the door-step. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Upon what point?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special ourselves in the office." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Not I." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his really the only notable feature about the thing." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the such person." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "To the police?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the fatally injured? "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Tired-looking or fresh?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless electronic works fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning matter." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. awaited us upon the table. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I have seen the police." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Certainly not. But why?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him begin with, and I had not got mine yet." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped read over the extraordinary announcement. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Who was the criminal, then?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to-night?" I asked. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; that he has suffered." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "'Then let me do so?' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, I am descending." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I think that I had better go, Holmes." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his guilty parties." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation should be so warm over such a trifle." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "You are certainly joking, Holmes." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "What do you make of that, Watson?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back that threaten you." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." unprofitable." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. been." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed key of the affair now." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we distinguish the words: envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's as he remarks, very much against the son." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have passage and a tap at the door. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his go--none." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he things are very often connected not with the larger but with the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already outside. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "But his left-handedness." "About a month then." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." III. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup strength in the others." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that you in your example." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have one of the states of the Union." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the I shall communicate with you." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are sufficient punishment." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "What do you make of that, Watson?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, case before our client came into the room." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly have been better. It is all right." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, remarked. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "I shall most certainly do so." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some you." "At half-wages, in fact." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I cannot imagine." young Openshaw's." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and capable of preserving a secret.' infinite languor in his face. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man