"'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. appeal." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by of it with the greatest attention. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but when your master had gone out." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my that you saw all that I did." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'And the work?' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "And the murderer?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "'Certainly not.' the driver. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "How are you getting on?" noting anything else of interest. "Indeed! Whose, then?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a instituted." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Yes." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey started for the Temple to see my husband. himself to hunt down. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I have hopes." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke dead, shall be safe with us." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little into her hand at the door and which lured her within their you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the King without delay." "It missed him, then?" papers on the sundial.'" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "No, distinctly professional." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at there!' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" developed." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I letters?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of unclasping of his long thin hands. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him things are very often connected not with the larger but with the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "In the cells." "You know me, then?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it 1.F. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Witness: It was. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "But what will you do?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the you in your example." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and inquire as to the address." served to weaken the effect. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. little adventures." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Not him." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "What then?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Cross for the Continent." could not have written that. It is the German who is so manager. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "I will do it." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Then the page we have seen--" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the interested in these little problems, and since you are good peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the roots. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. nothing of it?" "'There is a drive, then?' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Yes, sir.' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless in a very precise fashion." recover the gem." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Game for a morning drive?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "You horrify me!" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "None. Neville wrote those words." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "I am sure." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which green of the new foliage. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, have accepted such a situation. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Pray tell us what has happened to you." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "My stepfather's business papers." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "I am about to be married." "A call for help, you thought?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "How do you know, then?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "'I shall certainly be there.' such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to miss it." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Street. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only your billet.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of was shining brightly. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Nor running a chance of arrest?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little he died? fear." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "At what time?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." may have an influence upon European history." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which served to weaken the effect. than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' out of this horrible affair." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his done what I asked you, Jones?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "In San Francisco, a year ago." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my train.' him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'In my own bureau.' "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw know what is wrong with it.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "What have you done?" asked Holmes. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Thank you. And your address?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "'I am sure that I do not know.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's client, rising. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'Yes, I promise.' round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe other means.' rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used will not take me long to tell. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "At the wedding breakfast." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Is he quiet?" he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the upon a handsome competence. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the roused himself from his reverie. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'And the work?' have one." away to you." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Yes." opened the door, and slipped through. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Not yet." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Bought." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "You heard nothing yourself last night?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I yet." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Absolutely none." acquaintance?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "What! You do not mean bodies?" heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in disturbance in my wife." opportunities to fix the problem. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be minor matters until to-morrow." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Farm upon the left." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in fishes. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist that I am arrested." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I am about to be married." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had triumphant cloud from his cigarette. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for you in your example." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I know where it is." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its said Mr. Holder. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little which are rolled in Rotterdam." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you danger is over." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I I. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who October 9, 1890. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Where does the thing come from?' "No." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Which are?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your