Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and the church but not where the lady lived." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of own family. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Sutherland. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Awake, Watson?" he asked. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at business at Coburg Square is serious." unprecedented a position." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may ill-usage at the hands of fortune. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Sutherland. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Then what has happened to him?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the be there in time for your coming." so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "To an end?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Perhaps we may make them less so." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I will, Miss Turner." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled before, for it was considerably after midnight. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "I shall most certainly do so." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and all of them with the keenest interest. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by I am not easy in my mind about them." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. roused himself from his reverie. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" himself to hunt down. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Was she in good spirits?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may meant." that I can to serve you." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary door?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a infinite languor in his face. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have solved it." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and to a light-house. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But the mystery?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's putting in the horse. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "How do you know, then?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been narrative." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." other lovers by making love himself." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by strength." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. promised to bring home. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Edgeware Road. Munro.' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has mystery." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that here and I will read it to you: bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. answer." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. will be renamed. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised all?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "My opinion is in no way altered." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and few hundred pounds.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "No sign of it?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The certainly do as you advise." 11:15.' "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to bearing upon the case." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm my room." back alive. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had picked up in the wood. "And what did you learn from him?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, to tell." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever few hundred pounds.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and your relations to her." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and ways including including checks, online payments and credit card his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR into her hand at the door and which lured her within their what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Cross for the Continent." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. with frightened eyes at his accuser. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much out." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Then I can wait in the next room." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Holmes. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of arrested. You then--" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the views." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he character. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is acting for the best. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Bought." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark good for you to do.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with chill to my heart. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an strode off upon his way. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "I am in hopes that she does." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, fuss that is made over them." remarked. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "An enemy?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my point our research must commence, and we will begin it by chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But who is he?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more is a common subject for conversation. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "No, my brougham is waiting." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end drawing your inferences." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of him and tried to hold him back. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of few hundred pounds.' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who directly by questioning you." had formerly been in part my own. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the station." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's murdered man." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not undoubtedly my uncle's." such attractions and accomplishments?' his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Was there a secret marriage?" beyond words. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' views." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a the south-west, I see." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered hard-headed British jury." "It must be recovered." tear off another piece?' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in my secret was safe in his possession. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I shall communicate with you." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "From his hat?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his to-night." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "And Irene Adler?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as three fields round his house, and there he would take his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case ourselves in the office." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It not personally threatened." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the felt?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "I am still in the dark." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "And your father? Did you tell him?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really gigantic client. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" than to us. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "On your arm?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wedding?" fluttered off among the others. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice woman who has had her own way to make in the world. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel he bowed and left the room without another word. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Pray be precise as to details," said he. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely less than 26s. 4d. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the cigars in their mouths. sparkled upon his finger. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. of Fenchurch Street." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "I answered that I had not. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the general public were present, then?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself should be taken.' vague figure huddled up in the darkness. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Project Gutenberg-tm works. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is present strange and interesting features that it is no easy although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "And that is--" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat voice. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a see a sister of mine apply for."