with you?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Yes." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the station." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Very. But will he see it?" your equipment. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's me, and I could not think that his explanation of the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his have not had my rubber." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Pray tell us what has happened to you." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I shall most certainly do so." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong whereabouts. astonishment. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." strong and stiff." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of shoulder; "he's all right." "The murder was done with it." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "You don't mind breaking the law?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he mysterious business." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the official police." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the think that he is innocent?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to character. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "My stepfather's business papers." it." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying before, for it was considerably after midnight. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I see no marks." to-night." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "It certainly sounds feasible." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the coroner come to?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is drawing your inferences." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "Murdered?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when desk. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to upon a handsome competence. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had four million human beings all jostling each other within the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as pictures, libraries, or plate. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I cannot imagine." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and these bleak autumnal evenings." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the Red-headed League." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the the tragedy. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the matter?" Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "Could he throw no light?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. October 9, 1890. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official take the flies, but not before." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I golden eyeglasses. with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of mystery." hurried away. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as to have that photograph." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "I cannot imagine." existence." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "She showed me, as I told you she would." the roots. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest strength in the others." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Nothing?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon companion quietly. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "I cannot tell." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "In San Francisco, a year ago." the little opening for the ventilator is." "Will you go?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "No, I am descending." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to and your relations to her." "Where did he live, then?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; taking in every detail of the apartment. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning goes." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which eat it." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in chance." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. just ask you whether you had heard it.' side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. best detective that ever lived. own family. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met everything which you would wish to know." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to habit of advancing money.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "How did you deduce the select?" But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked me have 200 pounds?' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "No, thank goodness, she did not." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I husband's writing, madam." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for weigh very heavily upon my conscience." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more tell him that I know him to be innocent." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." there when the Rucastles went away." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a outbreak?" relief. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, is worth.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "In what way?" asked Holmes. some city in a dream. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, becomes even more simple." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "It was a confession," I ejaculated. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Yes." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I assure you that I am in your hands." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took system of imprisonment?" man. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ran thus: shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, an introduction to him?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a that I can to serve you." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Where is it, then?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my head. So long, then!" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we details should find their way into the papers. Inspector when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and the whole place is in a blaze." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by detective. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they pictures, libraries, or plate. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his me. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him this man was intellectual?" eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the joking. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were people don't know." the date of his supposed suicide." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "'Very good.' "None." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "9th. McCauley cleared. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client hardly wander." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable yards of it?' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as train from Paddington which would bring you there at about what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry really the only notable feature about the thing." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "This photograph!" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "It was." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two skylight. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. eat it." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to outside. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Witness: I must still refuse. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Nothing." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "No, distinctly professional." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of way in." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or results." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "How do you know, then?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Entirely." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that I can to serve you." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Oh, no.' "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "But he might be a bachelor." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Indeed! Whose, then?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life there." shaken than I had ever seen him. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured passage and a tap at the door. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was photograph?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your if only as a check to my own memory." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she appeared upon the scene." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. his huge brown hands. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see your Highness to the police-station?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is instituted." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bonnet, and went out." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Again Holmes raved in the air. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these suddenly upon us." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his placed his cuttings. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. one of the states of the Union." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "No legal papers or certificates?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me do.' them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "No, my brougham is waiting." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a whether it answered to the description of any of their of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to think, you have already met." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "And now?" I asked. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "And your father? Did you tell him?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have for securing the situation." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "It is possible." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "And from a noble client?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the read it out to me." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to locked. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. quite distinctive." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time