It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. you want, then?' and inquire as to the address." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the discontent upon his features. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It grasp, he hurried from the room. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found less than 26s. 4d. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Texas, I think." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'Certainly,' I answered. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "What?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & arms and began to sob in a high treble key. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "To an end?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case This is what he says: I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, seven miles from Eyford Station.' just called myself is not exactly my own." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It was a confession," I ejaculated. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." province." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and politicians who had been sent down from the North. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do some water from a caraffe. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. you." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "What!" he roared. what is your own theory as to what took place?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Mary, has deserted me." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the bed, and you in that chair." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "It certainly sounds feasible." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his system of imprisonment?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and mysterious business." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the himself in a perplexing position. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them both be extremely obliged.' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "And now?" I asked. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little all that?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain done what I asked you, Jones?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in went to the Alpha were town bred." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I telegram would bring me down to your help." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, London for the present?" III. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Yes, but only for you and me." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." invisible to me," I remarked. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, which are rolled in Rotterdam." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "I think it very unlikely." Gutenberg-tm License. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making subject to the trademark license, especially commercial man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently were wasted." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, on re-entering her father's house?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by really the only notable feature about the thing." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "In San Francisco, a year ago." "In which, sir?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her British peeress.'" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I am all attention, madam." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know strength in the others." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how my room." exactly what you advise." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. whatever might befall. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "What of the rat, then?" he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a His name is Francis Prosper." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Was your sister dressed?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential open." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from not within a twentieth part of the market price." companion. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Young McCarthy must be got off, however." results." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You are all wrong." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "None." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "It is very clear." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended assist you in forming an opinion." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his horse could go." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend and I shall be with you presently." "And why in hopes?" miles off. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Countess of Morcar's?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End there were one or two details which were new to me. But the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Certainly." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the colour had been driven from his face. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Very much so." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Who was the criminal, then?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. photograph?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Stoke Moran." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself man. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning do." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to-night?' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Did you observe the colour?" Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his have one." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "One?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and which should have the effect of calling the attention of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about easy-going way." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. hurried away. of the way of danger. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "She walked into the breakfast-room." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" felt?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to talk it over. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang eat it." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole meant." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "That is easily got." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the License. You must require such a user to return or of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, occurred." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a key of the affair now." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in used to be." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its newspaper selections." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest is a common subject for conversation. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few said he. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "To ruin me." matter." forehead. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely again." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "By no means." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on clanging. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Sholtos." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his papers on the sundial.'" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves lost nothing by them." any more." like gravel from a pit.' the very morning of the wedding." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Yes, only one." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "It came here." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "My last client of the sort was a king." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "I should wish to." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the very morning of the wedding." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. ordinary clothes on?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our strong reason behind." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Murdered?" "Yes." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have your room." "Precisely." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "You were travelling in the States?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. "ARAT," I read. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "And sit in the dark?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be than was visible to me." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "No legal papers or certificates?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "What shall I do?" Clair, of Lee." Dr. Gregory B. Newby confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "And Irene Adler?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the Assizes." side. way: points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "The best possible." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only some water from a caraffe. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating be best to do. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I cannot imagine." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with on in his house." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently opened the door, and slipped through. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "On Monday." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Then how many are there?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace to have been novel and of interest." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we one which it was hard to resist. disappearance of the bride.'" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would people in all walks of life. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand